CABINET OFFICE

Refurbishment (Whitehall)

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if a Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method document has been prepared for the refurbishment at 70 Whitehall; and if he will place a copy in the Library.

Douglas Alexander: The external refurbishment work currently being undertaken at 70 Whitehall does not require a BREEAM assessment.

Refurbishment (Whitehall)

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what action is being taken by his Department to ensure that timber procured for use in the current refurbishment of 70 Whitehall is sourced legally and sustainably.

Douglas Alexander: External refurbishment works are currently being undertaken at 70 Whitehall. Timber or timber products are not being used in the current refurbishment of 70 Whitehall.

Timber

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what refurbishment and redevelopment is being undertaken at 70 Whitehall; how much timber will be used; from which countries this will be sourced; and which companies are supplying this timber.

Douglas Alexander: External refurbishment work is currently being undertaken at 70 Whitehall.
	Timber or timber products are not being used in the current refurbishment of 70 Whitehall.

Energy White Paper

Sue Doughty: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what meetings his officials have held with external organisations concerning the preparation of the Energy White Paper; and in each case, who attended and when the meeting took place.

Brian Wilson: : I have been asked to reply.
	As part of the preparation of the Energy White Paper my officials have held a large number of meetings and expert workshops with external organisations. These covered a wide range of issues and included three opening workshops in London, Glasgow and Newport, a final integrative conference in London and workshops on regional issues, energy policy and long term carbon reductions, energy efficiency, renewables and the energy implications of PIU energy review. Workshops and focus groups were also held with the general public. Details are posted on the DTI's website at http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/developep/reports.shtml.

GM Crops

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what role was played by Lord Sainsbury in the study carried out by the Strategy Unit into GM crops; and whether Lord Sainsbury has access to papers held by the unit.

Douglas Alexander: Lord Sainsbury has had no role in the Strategy Unit study on GM crops. The project team has had no contact with him and he has not had access to any papers held by the unit.

Ministerial Cars

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  what the average cost per Minister arising from the allocation of a ministerial car was in each of the last three years;
	(2)  how many Ministers are entitled to the allocation of a car; and how many Ministers in each year from 1997 have chosen not to avail themselves of one;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of the practicality of replacement by a car pool of the system of allocation of cars individually to Ministers; and if he will estimate the savings which would result were such a scheme implemented.

Douglas Alexander: The responsibility for the provision of ministerial cars and drivers has been delegated under the terms of the Framework Document to the Government Car Despatch Agency. I have asked its chief executive Mr Nick Matheson to write to the hon. Member. Copies of his letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

Freehold

Ben Chapman: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, if he will make a statement about retention of freehold in the context of the Archbishop's Council's review.

Stuart Bell: As promised in my answer of 19 December 2002, I have provided the hon. Gentleman with the Group's Terms of Reference, and have placed a copy in the Library. The Group will be looking at the freehold, but will give priority to consideration of the position of clergy without the freehold. Its full terms of reference are:
	Xto review the terms under which the clergy hold office to ensure a proper balance between rights and responsibilities, and clear procedures for resolving disputes which afford full protection against possible injustice;
	to consider in this context the future of the freehold and the position of the clergy in relation to statutory employment rights; and
	in the review, to give priority to consideration of the position of clergy without the freehold or employment contracts, and to report on this aspect in 2003 with detailed proposals and a programme for their implementation, the rest of the review to be completed, if possible, in 2004".

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Royal Butler Prosecutions

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Solicitor-General what the cost was to public funds of the prosecution relating to (a) Paul Burrell and (b) Harold Brown; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: The cost of the prosecutions relating to (a) Paul Burrell and (b) Harold Brown to public funds has not yet been ascertained.

Royal Butler Prosecutions

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Solicitor-General on what date the Crown Prosecution Service became aware of the existence of a written authority from the Prince of Wales to Harold Brown, authorising him to dispose of a gold wedding ring; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: The CPS has no knowledge of such a document. Following the statement to the judge at court on 2 December 2002, that the Crown would be offering no evidence against the defendants defence, counsel for Harold Brown produced and read out to the court a document that the CPS has to this day not seen. To the best of our knowledge, Harold Brown was not named in the document, nor did it concern the sale of any item.

TRANSPORT

Air Traffic

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of air traffic dealt with by (a) Swanwick, (b) Prestwick, (c) West Drayton and (d) other air traffic control operators is (i) over 20,000 feet, (ii) over 25,000 feet and (iii) under 20,000 feet.

David Jamieson: It is not possible to disaggregate this information to the level requested. In November 2002, the latest full month for which final information is available, the total number of flights handled by NATS was 157,635. Many of these flights were handled by more than one centre at different stages of their passage through UK airspace. The number of flights handled by each centre in that month was as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Swanwick 129,690 
			 Prestwick (including oceanic flights) 64,612 
			 West Drayton 95,078 
			 Manchester 47,305.

Air Transport

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 16 December 2002, Official Report, column 641W, on the future development of air transport, how many Scottish consultation documents were sent out by his Department by (a) 30 November and (b) 10 December.

David Jamieson: The breakdown of Scottish consultation documents dispatched by 30 November and 10 December is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  30 November 10 December 
		
		
			 Main document 5,915 5,930 
			 Summary document 7,176 7,181 
			 Questionnaires 6,655 6,676

Airport Capacity (South-East)

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what relative weight will be given to responses to the consultation on the future of airport capacity in the south-east in the form of (a) individual letters and (b) questionnaire responses.

David Jamieson: All responses to the consultation, whether in the form of individual letters or completed NOP questionnaires, will be fully considered and analysed carefully.

Airport Capacity (South-East)

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what external professional advice was taken into account in devising the questionnaire on airport capacity in the South East;
	(2)  if he will revise and recirculate the questionnaire with regard to the consultation on airport capacity in the South East; and what representations he has received on the drafting and format of the questionnaire.

David Jamieson: NOP were commissioned by the Department to advise on the drafting and format of the South East questionnaire prior to the start of the consultation on 23 July 2002.
	Since then there have been a number of representations from both individuals and organisations about the content and format of the questionnaire. We are considering these points carefully and plan to issue a revised questionnaire when the further South East consultation document is published early in 2003. Those who have already completed the existing questionnaire will be able to replace it with the new version should they wish to do so.

Lewes Bypass

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects a quieter road surface to be applied to the A27 Lewes bypass.

David Jamieson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 20 June 2002 [Official Report, column 506W].

Motorway Tolls

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on toll charging on motorways.

David Jamieson: The M6 Toll (the Birmingham Northern Relief Road), which is under construction and is expected to open in 2004, is the only planned motorway where all vehicles may be tolled.

NATS

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what representations he has received on the reliability of the pilot controller radio communication system; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what representations he has received on the clarity of the newly fitted computer screens at Swanwick air traffic control centre;
	(3)  what representations he has received on equipment failure experienced by NATS; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: I have received a number of representations in recent months concerning NATS' systems or equipment but these are primarily matters for NATS as the service provider. I understand there were computer failures at West Drayton on 27 March 2002 and 10 April and on 17 May at Swanwick and there have been other, well-publicised, minor problems such as print size on the computer screens at Swanwick. The problems which led to the computer failures have been identified and addressed. New software, which provided revised colours and fonts on the radar displays in response to staff concerns, was successfully introduced into Swanwick on 6 November.
	The CAA, as safety regulator, has remained satisfied throughout that safety has not been compromised.

NATS

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many engineers were employed by NATS on (a) 1 May 1997 and (b) 1 May 2002.

David Jamieson: NATS employed 1,177 engineers on 1 May 1997 and 1,270 on 1 May 2002.

Postcodes

Paul Truswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what use his Department and its agencies make of postcode areas for (a) the collection and publication of data, (b) devising formulae for the distribution of grants and awards and (c) the delivery of services; and when such usages were last reviewed.

David Jamieson: Postcode area data are not used widely across the Department and its agencies. The contractors who carry out the Department's National Travel Survey use the 'small user' Postcode Address File as its sampling frame, although final data are only published at Government Office Region or combined county level. The Survey of Privately Owned Vans, begun in October 2002, also uses postcode areas as the basis for collecting data. The sample size is too small to enable publication at postcode level but it is planned to publish regional results.

Rail Passengers (Security)

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will establish a national strategy and standards for CCTV on stations and in railway coaches; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: We will be considering the effective use of CCTV surveillance on trains as part of our current joint project with the Strategic Rail Authority to improve the on-train environment for rail passengers and staff. We already encourage the effective use of CCTV as part of the secure stations scheme accreditation process.

Rail Schemes

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which rail schemes involving new or reopened (a) lines and (b) stations the SRA will complete by 2015.

David Jamieson: Details of all rail schemes involving the strategic rail authority (SRA) are in their strategic plan (copies of which are in the House Library). A revised version of that plan is due to be published early in 2003 and copies of the revised plan will also be placed in the House Library.

Road Congestion

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what work he has done to establish (a) the correlation between road space available and road congestion and (b) the impact on existing public transport alternatives along such corridors arising from the provision of extra road space.

David Jamieson: The Department undertakes forecasting work for road traffic, for which available road space is an input. Forecasts were recently published in 'Delivering Better Transport: Progress Report', a copy of which is in the House Library. This forecasting work also estimates modal transfer arising from transport policies.

Road Congestion

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what additional volume of traffic he estimates will be generated using the SACTRA model in each of the road schemes announced in his recent statement to the House.

David Jamieson: The Department accepted and has implemented the recommendations of the 1994 SACTRA report XTrunk Roads and the Generation of Traffic". As a result, road schemes are designed and appraised having regard to all sources of traffic, including generated traffic. It is no longer standard practice to make separate estimates excluding generated traffic. Thus, it is not possible to provide the information requested.

St. Pancras Cemetery

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received regarding the removal of graves from St. Pancras cemetery in connection with the building of the channel tunnel rail link.

David Jamieson: The Secretary of State has received a small number of representations about this matter.

DEFENCE

Apache Helicopter

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by what date he expects the Apache AH Mk 1's UK-specific secure communications system to have the ability to share voice and data information with other UK aircraft types and ground troops.

Adam Ingram: The timescales for enhancements to enable Apache AH Mk 1 to share voice and data information with a range of United Kingdom aircraft and with ground forces are being defined but the aim is to introduce them as soon a possible.

Apache Helicopter

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made to ensure that the Longbow fire-control radar allows the Apache AH Mk 1 attack helicopter to deal with surface threats.

Adam Ingram: The Longbow fire control radar is being tested and evaluated, along with other sub-systems, as the Apache helicopter is brought into service. Any necessary modifications will be made to ensure that Longbow is able to deal consistently with the threats for which it was designed.

Apache Helicopter

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what actions have been taken to ensure that the Apache AH Mk 1 attack helicopter achieves its planned initial operating capability in August 2004.

Adam Ingram: To ensure that an initial operating capability for the Apache of August 2004 is met, action is being taken along six lines of development: delivery of the equipment; development of appropriate organisation structures and infrastructure; development of concepts and doctrine for how the equipment will be used; delivery of the required training; recruitment and retention of manpower; and supporting and sustaining the new capability once the equipment has been introduced into service.

Apache Helicopter

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the problems experienced with the Apache Mk 1 attack helicopter; and when he expects each of these to be rectified.

Adam Ingram: The report by the Comptroller and Auditor General: 'Building an Air Manoeuvre Capability: The Introduction of the Apache Helicopter' published on 31 October 2002 reflected the outstanding issues relating to the Apache helicopter. Action is in hand to address the issues highlighted in the report and to ensure the delivery of an initial operating capability in August 2004.

BAE Systems

Michael Jack: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the discussions his Department has had with BAE Systems since 1 December; and what subject areas were discussed.

Geoff Hoon: BAE Systems is a major supplier to the Ministry of Defence. As is to be expected, numerous discussions with the company have taken place since 1 December 2002, and continue to do so, concerning a wide range of subjects.

British Nuclear Tests (Compensation)

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what restrictions apply on the provision of the medical records of ex-servicemen or ex-military medical auxiliaries who were present at British nuclear tests conducted at Christmas and Maiden Islands.

Lewis Moonie: There are no restrictions that apply specifically to the provision of the medical records of those ex-Service personnel who were present at the British nuclear tests on Christmas Island and Maiden Island. However, the normal restrictions on access to medical records do apply.

Christmas Expenses

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many departmental Christmas cards he and his Ministers intend to send in 2002; how much these cards will cost (a) to buy, (b) to post and (c) in staff time to sign, address and place in envelopes; and if he will place in the Library a sample copy of the official Christmas card he has sent this year.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 19 December 2002
	Defence Ministers sent a total of 520 departmental Christmas cards. All expenditure incurred in the purchase and despatch of these cards was made in accordance with departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in Government Accounting.
	The cards were purchased from The Royal Star and Garter Home, a charity for disabled ex-service men and women at an equivalent cost of 67p per card. A copy of the card used will be placed in the Library of the House.
	It is estimated it took around four minutes of staff time to prepare each card for posting.

Defence Bills Agency

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total spending was of the Defence Bills Agency for the last year for which figures are available; and how much of that was spent in Scotland.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 10 December 2002
	The total value of Defence contractors' bills settled by the Defence Bills Agency for the year ending 31 March 2002 was #16,849 billion. Data on how much of this figure was spent in Scotland or any United Kingdom region is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Enron

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contracts the Department has placed with Enron since 1997.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence has not placed any contracts with Enron since 1997.

Eurofighter

Michael Jack: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with BAE Systems on the numbers of Eurofighter Typhoons projected to be in (a) Tranche 2 and (b) Tranche 3.

Adam Ingram: We have regular discussions with BAE Systems on a wide range of issues associated with the Eurofighter Typhoon programme. The planned numbers of aircraft to be procured in Tranche 2 and Tranche 3 are set down in international memoranda of understanding between the four Typhoon partner nations and in the over-arching framework contracts placed with industry. For the United Kingdom these provide for 89 aircraft in Tranche 2 and 88 in Tranche 3.

Eurofighter

Michael Jack: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the implications for the Eurofighter Typhoon project of developing an enhanced ground attack capability for the aircraft.

Adam Ingram: The Eurofighter Typhoon will be a multi-role aircraft. Although primarily designed for air superiority, the aircraft will progressively benefit from enhanced ground attack capabilities as part of the planned procurement programme. The United Kingdom and other nations involved in the procurement will continue to keep under review the possibility of further enhancements to Typhoon's capability.

Gracemoor Consultants

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the former employees of his Department who have taken up positions with Gracemoor Consultants, stating in each case the name and date of leaving.

Lewis Moonie: Under the Cabinet Office rules on the acceptance of outside appointments by Crown servants (Xthe Business Appointment Rules"), all Ministry of Defence non-industrial civilians and officers in the Armed Forces are required, within two years of leaving the Department, to apply for permission before taking up employment with an organisation connected with their official duties. Some of these applications are speculative and not all lead to external appointments being taken up. The rules require only senior officials whose applications are approved by the Prime Minister to confirm to their former department that they have taken up a new appointment on leaving the MOD. Details of such appointments are published by the Cabinet Office in the annual reports of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

Green Ministers

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Minister in his Department is the nominated Green Minister; how often he has attended meetings of the Green Ministers; and which official has responsibility for the Defra rural proofing check-list in his Department.

Lewis Moonie: I am the nominated Green Minister for the Ministry of Defence. The Green Ministers Committee (now ENV(G)) is a Cabinet sub-committee. It is established practice under Exemption 2 of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information not to disclose information, including ministerial attendance, relating to the proceedings of the Cabinet and its committees.
	A list of the names of departmental contacts, who meet regularly to discuss issues such as rural proofing, is not published as personnel and machinery of Government changes mean that any list would be out of date fairly quickly.

Knightsbridge Barracks

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the result is of his investigation into circumstances of the shooting incident at Knightsbridge Barracks involving a civilian, Mr. Rajko Novakovic; who (a) issued and (b) owned the firearm; how many soldiers were involved in the incident; how many civilian complaints concerning the improper use of firearms have been received in the past five years; what disciplinary action has been taken following the conviction of trooper Adam Everett by Horseferry Road magistrates; what ranks of officer have apologised to Mr. Novakovic; and when trooper Everett offered an apology.

Lewis Moonie: The investigation into the shooting incident at Knightsbridge Barracks leading to the conviction of Trooper Adam Everett was conducted by the civilian police.
	An internal investigation was conducted into the storage security of the firearm. The matter of internal disciplinary or administrative action now lies with the chain of command, and this properly remains a private matter between Trooper Everett and the Army. The matter of the soldier issuing an apology is also a private one between him and Mr. Novakovic.
	The figures relating to the number of complaints concerning the improper use of firearms received by the Service relate to the period 1 January 1998 to 31 December 2002. Worldwide, a total of 16 incidents of offences against the person involving firearms, where there was a civilian complainant and the suspect was a Service person (this includes dependants and United Kingdom based civilians), were reported to Service Police. You may also wish to be aware that, during the same time frame, there were 27 complaints made of similar incidents where the complainants were Service persons (this includes dependants and UK based civilians) and the suspect(s) civilian. These figures include incidents both inside and outside of barracks, but do not include incidents leading to an individual being charged or investigated for murder or attempted murder.

Military Airfields

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what liaison takes place between his Department and (a) local hon. Members and (b) local authorities in the use of domestic military airfields when being used by the aircraft of a foreign power.

Adam Ingram: Regular liaison takes place between RAF stations and local authorities. This includes notification of foreign aircraft activity, where it varies from the routine.
	Members of Parliament are similarly advised of such non-routine activity by either my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Defence or myself.

Military Recruits

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost was per capita of training a successful military recruit to the agreed standard (a) in 1997 and (b) in the last 12 months; and what the difference was expressed in percentage terms.

Lewis Moonie: The information is not held in the format requested. However, the average cost of initial training for successful recruits is set out as follows:
	
		#000 
		
			  Officer Other rank 
		
		
			 1999–2000(1)   
			 Royal Navy 25.3 4.4 
			 Royal Marine 97.9 31.8 
			
			 2001–02   
			 Royal Navy 31.1 6.9 
			 Royal Marine 103 33 
		
	
	(1) RN/RM figures for 1997–98 and 1998–99 are not readily available
	
		#000 
		
			  Officer Other rank 
		
		
			 1997–98   
			 Army 40.6 5.6 
			 RAF 15.8 3.8 
			
			 2001–02   
			 Army 52.6 7.3 
			 RAF 17.9 4.5 
		
	
	The 2001–02 costs were calculated on a resource basis (thus including overheads), whereas costs for previous years were only based on cash. It would, therefore, be inappropriate to make a percentage comparison between the two sets of figures. There are also significant differences between the services in the scope of initial training so that it is generally inappropriate to use these figures to make inter-service comparisons.

MOD Contracts

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the ROF sites that supply his Department; and what the length of contract is at each site.

Adam Ingram: The former Royal Ordnance Factories (now owned by RO Defence, within BAE Systems), which are involved in the supply of munitions to the Ministry of Defence are: Birtley, Bridgwater, Chorley, Glascoed and Radway Green. The MOD has a variety of contracts for the supply of munitions with RO Defence, most of which are covered by the MOD/ROD Framework Partnering Agreement. These contracts are not site specific, and it is for RO Defence to decide on the point of assembly and manufacture of components.

RAF Fairford

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the terms of agreement are between his Department and the US Air Force in the use of RAF Fairford.

Adam Ingram: The presence of the United States Air Force at RAF Fairford is, as with all bases made available to United States visiting forces in the United Kingdom, governed by the NATO Status of Forces Agreement 1951 and additional confidential arrangements.

S-type Contracts

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many serving members of (a) the armed forces and (b) the infantry are employed on an S-Type contract having been manning controlled.

Lewis Moonie: As explained in the answer given on 27 November 2002, Official Report, columns 332–34W, only the Army uses Manning Control Point reviews. The Royal Navy and Royal Air Force have their own manning policies that are designed to meet their different requirements.
	There are 351 serving members of the Army who are employed on an S-Type engagement following termination of their notice or open engagement after a Manning Control review. Of these, 291 are Infantry personnel.

Soldier Discharges

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many soldiers in the last five years signed an AFB120A form under QR 9.413; and how many soldiers who were discharged under QR 9.413 applied for a war pension after discharge.

Lewis Moonie: I assume the hon. Member is referring to AFB 130A form, which is completed when soldiers are to be discharged for a number of reasons, including Queen's Regulations 9.413, 'Not required for a full Army career'. For consistency with the period covered in the answer of 16 December 2002, Official Report, column 507W, the number of such forms signed by soldiers discharged under Queen's Regulations, paragraph 9.413 in each year since 1997 is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Number of AF103As discharged under QR 9.413 
		
		
			 1997 231 
			 1998 175 
			 1999 93 
			 2000 66 
			 2001 47 
			 2002 3 
			 Total 615 
		
	
	An AFB 130A form may have been signed in some cases in which discharge action was terminated. Figures for such cases are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The Veterans' Agency does not collate data on the reason for discharge of veterans who claim a war pension. Therefore, the number of soldiers who were discharged under Queen's Regulations, paragraph 9.413, and who applied for a war pension after discharge, is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

UBS Warburg

Syd Rapson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department was informed that the Department of Trade and Industry had hired UBS Warburg to advise it about the relationship between BAE Systems and his Department; which MOD officials met officials from UBS Warburg; and when these meetings took place.

Geoff Hoon: UBS Warburg were retained in early December 2002 to provide specialist financial advice to the Government as a whole, not to individual Departments. Ministry of Defence officials, representatives of the MOD Equipment Capability Customer Organisation, the Defence Procurement Agency and the MOD Press Office have been involved in a number of meetings at which USB Warburg representatives have been present.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Union Learning Funds

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assistance has been given by his Department to union learning funds; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: holding answer 7 January 2003
	Trade unions have a key role to play in promoting the development of learning and skills in the workplace. To help them do this, my Department has provided financial support through the union learning fund since 1998. Between 1998 and March 2002, #16.5million was made available; #9 million is available for 2002–03 and a further #33. 6 million has been allocated for the next three years up to 2005–06.
	The union learning fund is a highly successful scheme and has become an established part of the lifelong learning agenda. Regular evaluation of this initiative has taken place and copies of the reports are available in the House of Commons Library.

Christmas Expenses

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many departmental Christmas cards he and his Ministers intend to send in 2002; how much these cards will cost (a) to buy, (b) to post and (c) in staff time to sign, address and place in envelopes; and if he will place in the Library a sample copy of the official Christmas card he has sent this year.

Stephen Twigg: holding answer 19 December 2002
	This year Ministers at the Department for Education and Skills sent around 1,550 official Christmas cards. These cards cost #1,659. The cards were sent via the governmental inter-departmental Service or the Royal Mail. No breakdown of the delivery methods is available which would enable an accurate assessment to be made of the postage costs. Equally no record is available of the staff time involved to sign, address and place cards in envelopes. A copy of the official Christmas card has been made available to the Library.
	All expenditure incurred in the purchase and despatch of official Christmas cards is made in accordance with the departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in XGovernment Accounting".

Connexions

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time employees were employed by Connexions in each region (i) this year and (ii) last year.

Ivan Lewis: holding answer 7 January 2003
	The following table gives the number of full-time and part-time staff employed by Connexions during the current year. The figures are taken from an annual staff survey undertaken by 27 partnerships that were operational by August 2002. The Connexions Service is expected to be operational in all 47 areas by April 2003.
	Comparable information is not available for 2001. Another survey of all Connexions partnerships is planned for the end of April 2003.
	
		Connexions partnerships operational by August 2002
		
			  Full-time staff Part-time staff 
		
		
			 England 5,023 2,021 
			 South-east 230 204 
			 Milton Keynes, Oxon and Bucks 230 204 
			 London 790 315 
			 Central London 176 55 
			 North London 143 50 
			 South London 184 93 
			 East London 287 117 
			 East of England 431 172 
			 Cambs and Peterborough 214 74 
			 Hertfordshire 107 66 
			 Suffolk 110 32 
			 South-west 599 288 
			 Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole 97 25 
			 Cornwall and Devon 244 102 
			 Somerset 84 51 
			 West of England 174 110 
			 West Midlands 846 335 
			 Black Country 225 75 
			 Coventry and Warwick 182 112 
			 Hereford and Worcester 102 60 
			 Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin 109 51 
			 Staffordshire 228 37 
			 East Midlands 314 94 
			 Lincolnshire and Rutland 148 41 
			 Nottinghamshire 166 53 
			 Yorks and Humber 479 265 
			 Humberside 226 155 
			 South Yorkshire 253 110 
			 North-west 968 265 
			 Cheshire and Warrington 204 61 
			 Cumbria 134 49 
			 Greater Merseyside 368 81 
			 Lancashire 262 74 
			 North-east 366 83 
			 County Durham 118 33 
			 Tyne and Wear 248 50

Connexions

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of people who have received advice through the Connexions service were (a) under 19 and (b) defined as socially excluded in the latest 12 months for which figures are available, broken down by region.

Ivan Lewis: holding answer 7 January 2003
	The table shows the number and proportion of young people receiving individual advice through operational Connexions Services for the period April 2002 to November 2002—the latest period for which this information is available. The table also shows the numbers of those identified as needing intensive support from the service.
	Intensive support is defined as integrated and specialist support for those facing substantial multiple problems which prevent them from engaging with learning. These young people are likely to be involved with a number of different professionals engaged in education, social welfare, health and housing.
	Young people also receive advice and guidance in a variety of group activities, through targeted mail shots and via Connexions websites, however this information is not collected by age group.
	
		
			  All young people advised by Connexions in a one to one situation(2) Number of under 19s advised by Connexions in a one to one situation Number identified as needing intensive support Percentage 
		
		
			 England 1,799,647 1,726,652 448,254 24.9 
			 South East 100,432 96,838 29,287 29.2 
			 London 154,167 144,920 32,056 20.8 
			 East of England 106,796 102,548 16,959 15.9 
			 South West 238,711 225,097 68,832 28.8 
			 West Midlands 263,257 252,377 35,055 13.3 
			 East Midlands 150,312 145,069 36,811 24.5 
			 Yorks and Humber 235,772 226,669 95,222 40.4 
			 North West 431,343 416,597 102,000 23.6 
			 North East 118,857 116,537 32,032 27.0 
		
	
	(2) Connexions Services cover 13 to 19-year-olds and young people up to the age of 25 with learning difficulties and disabilities.

Departmental Meetings (Wales and Scotland)

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when (a) Ministers and (b) officials from his Department last met representatives from (i) the Welsh Assembly and (ii) the Scottish Parliament.

Stephen Twigg: Ministers in this Department are in regular contact with representatives from the Welsh Assembly and the Scottish Parliament, most recently on 31 October 2002 and 18 December 2002 respectively.
	Officials in the Department work regularly with the Devolved Administrations on matters of mutual interest. Information about the frequency of meetings is not held centrally.

Grammar Schools

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what recent discussions he has had with local education authorities about the future of grammar schools;
	(2)  what recent representations he has received from local education authorities seeking an end to academic selection.

David Miliband: holding answer 17 December 2002
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not held any specific discussions with local education authorities, nor has he had any representations from them, about the future of grammar schools or ending academic selection. However, he has recently had a meeting with representatives of Kent LEA about how school standards in general can be raised.
	Legislation does not allow for LEAs to propose that grammar schools stop being selective; that is a matter for the schools themselves, or local parents, through the ballot system.

Language Teaching

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the percentage of children in maintained schools learning a foreign language at Key Stage 2; and what he expects the percentage to be in (a) September 2003, (b) September 2004 and (c) September 2005;
	(2)  by what date he expects that every primary school should have a language co-ordinator.

Stephen Twigg: While the Department does not hold precise information about the numbers of children learning a modern foreign language at Key Stage 2, we are aware from a recent survey conducted by Warwick University that approximately 20 per cent. of primary schools currently offer some form of language teaching. We plan to carry out research this year to verify that percentage, and Ofsted will take account of language learning programmes in the primary schools they inspect. This will allow us to estimate the percentage of children who will be learning a foreign language at Key Stage 2 for the years cited and beyond.
	We expect that, by the end of the decade ,every pupil at Key Stage 2 will be offered the opportunity to study at least one foreign language. To support this offer, we are concentrating on building capacity and supporting best practice, enabling schools to introduce early language learning at a pace which is right for them.

Ministerial Visits

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the overseas visits on departmental business undertaken by Ministers in his Department during the last 12 months.

Stephen Twigg: In the last 12 months, Ministers in this Department have travelled on departmental business to Belgium, France, Slovakia, Italy, Australia and the United States.
	All trips undertaken by Ministers comply with the requirements of the Ministerial Code.

School Funding

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the SSA average grant per pupil in (a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools will be in each LEA in England and Wales in (i) 2003–04 and (ii) subsequent years for which figures are available.

David Miliband: The average primary and secondary formula spending share per pupil for LEAs in England are set out in the tables for 2003–04: figures for future years will become available at the time of the Local Government Finance Settlement for each year. These figures are not comparable with primary and secondary SSA per pupil for 2002–03 and previous years. The new system of funding for LEAs consists of a basic entitlement which is the same for all pupils, plus a top up for all deprived pupils, which is the same for all deprived pupils, and a further top up for those LEAs in areas with additional costs for recruitment and retention of staff. Where the average formula spending share per pupil is higher, that reflects a higher number of deprived pupils, and higher area costs. The system in Wales is different and is the responsibility of the Welsh Assembly.
	
		
			 LEA Average primary formula spending share per pupil Average secondary formula spending share per pupil 
		
		
			 City of London 3,252 4,322 
			 Camden 3,187 3,952 
			 Greenwich 2,985 3,866 
			 Hackney 3,336 4,208 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 3,087 3,935 
			 Islington 3,217 4,156 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 2,957 3,771 
			 Lambeth 3,232 4,129 
			 Lewisham 3,011 3,956 
			 Southwark 3,160 4,147 
			 Tower Hamlets 3,625 4,441 
			 Wandsworth 2,923 3,890 
			 Westminster 3,255 4,060 
			 Barking and Dagenham 2,482 3,204 
			 Barnet 2,555 3,250 
			 Bexley 2,280 2,986 
			 Brent 2,814 3,545 
			 Bromley 2,237 2,968 
			 Croydon 2,410 3,213 
			 Ealing 2,757 3,442 
			 Enfield 2,538 3,218 
			 Haringey 2,823 3,572 
			 Harrow 2,590 3,290 
			 Havering 2,240 2,961 
			 Hillingdon 2,496 3,193 
			 Hounslow 2,714 3,373 
			 Kingston upon Thames 2,387 3,117 
			 Merton 2,504 3,285 
			 Newham 2,928 3,611 
			 Redbridge 2,505 3,160 
			 Richmond upon Thames 2,318 3,092 
			 Sutton 2,357 3,112 
			 Waltham Forest 2,609 3,393 
			 Birmingham 2,475 3,156 
			 Coventry 2,273 2,912 
			 Dudley 2,180 2,849 
			 Sandwell 2,378 3,022 
			 Solihull 2,115 2,751 
			 Walsall 2,302 2,944 
			 Wolverhampton 2,327 2,992 
			 Knowsley 2,381 3,022 
			 Liverpool 2,385 3,048 
			 St. Helens 2,195 2,841 
			 Sefton 2,156 2,812 
			 Wirral 2,217 2,873 
			 Bolton 2,269 2,883 
			 Bury 2,169 2,833 
			 Manchester 2,540 3,235 
			 Oldham 2,351 2,985 
			 Rochdale 2,323 2,988 
			 Salford 2,281 2,936 
			 Stockport 2,108 2,769 
			 Tameside 2,220 2,876 
			 Trafford 2,149 2,817 
			 Wigan 2,149 2,808 
			 Barnsley 2,195 2,829 
			 Doncaster 2,244 2,836 
			 Rotherham 2,198 2,834 
			 Sheffield 2,217 2,877 
			 Bradford 2,409 3,039 
			 Calderdale 2,233 2,857 
			 Kirklees 2,275 2,881 
			 Leeds 2,191 2,837 
			 Wakefield 2,167 2,812 
			 Gateshead 2,199 2,838 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 2,297 2,926 
			 North Tyneside 2,151 2,798 
			 South Tyneside 2,233 2,881 
			 Sunderland 2,210 2,855 
			 Isles of Scilly 3,366 3,989 
			 Bath and North East Somerset 2,111 2,747 
			 City of Bristol 2,251 2,949 
			 North Somerset 2,119 2,741 
			 South Gloucestershire 2,107 2,729 
			 Hartlepool 2,255 2,888 
			 Middlesbrough 2,326 2,972 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 2,225 2,842 
			 Stockton-on-Tees 2,193 2,824 
			 City of Kingston-upon-Hull 2,292 2,938 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 2,163 2,681 
			 North East Lincolnshire 2,210 2,831 
			 North Lincolnshire 2,210 2,758 
			 North Yorkshire 2,214 2,662 
			 York 2,074 2,702 
			 Bedfordshire 2,219 2,831 
			 Luton 2,432 3,149 
			 Buckinghamshire 2,276 2,939 
			 Milton Keynes 2,319 2,984 
			 Derbyshire 2,128 2,715 
			 Derby 2,233 2,885 
			 Dorset 2,136 2,669 
			 Poole 2,059 2,709 
			 Bournemouth 2,122 2,763 
			 Durham 2,208 2,797 
			 Darlington 2,190 2,802 
			 East Sussex 2,159 2,752 
			 Brighton and Hove 2,183 2,850 
			 Hampshire 2,141 2,764 
			 Portsmouth 2,237 2,908 
			 Southampton 2,296 2,957 
			 Leicestershire 2,083 2,663 
			 Leicester 2,443 2,966 
			 Rutland 2,204 2,659 
			 Staffordshire 2,102 2,698 
			 Stoke on Trent 2,254 2,904 
			 Wiltshire 2,214 2,731 
			 Swindon 2,153 2,788 
			 Bracknell Forest 2,287 3,019 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 2,321 3,019 
			 West Berkshire 2,333 2,970 
			 Reading 2,412 3,161 
			 Slough 2,623 3,326 
			 Wokingham 2,273 2,970 
			 Cambridgeshire 2,224 2,779 
			 Peterborough 2,375 3,011 
			 Cheshire 2,133 2,738 
			 Halton 2,286 2,946 
			 Warrington 2,101 2,761 
			 Devon 2,217 2,708 
			 Plymouth 2,166 2,813 
			 Torbay 2,162 2,807 
			 Essex 2,164 2,784 
			 Southend 2,195 2,847 
			 Thurrock 2,267 2,938 
			 Herefordshire 2,246 2,683 
			 Worcestershire 2,088 2,689 
			 Kent 2,184 2,803 
			 Medway 2,167 2,812 
			 Lancashire 2,183 2,778 
			 Blackburn 2,389 2,942 
			 Blackpool 2,211 2,862 
			 Nottinghamshire 2,133 2,746 
			 Nottingham City 2,393 3,075 
			 Shropshire 2,201 2,667 
			 The Wrekin 2,196 2,806 
			 Cornwall 2,233 2,758 
			 Cumbria 2,220 2,721 
			 Gloucestershire 2,160 2,743 
			 Hertfordshire 2,257 2,948 
			 Isle of Wight Council 2,210 2,779 
			 Lincolnshire 2,226 2,714 
			 Norfolk 2,211 2,727 
			 Northamptonshire 2,183 2,789 
			 Northumberland 2,206 2,734 
			 Oxfordshire 2,266 2,884 
			 Somerset 2,159 2,689 
			 Suffolk 2,144 2,698 
			 Surrey 2,307 3,019 
			 Warwickshire 2,173 2,752 
			 West Sussex 2,176 2,806

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Air Quality (Lancashire)

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the most recent figures are for air quality in Lancashire.

Alun Michael: Defra currently operates two automated, continuous air quality monitoring sites in Lancashire: one in Preston, the other in Blackpool. These sites measure carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, ozone, particulate matter (PM10 ), and sulphur dioxide. Current and historic air quality information from these sites is available at Defra's air quality archive, www.airquality.co.uk. The information is updated hourly.
	In 2002 all automated measurements of carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen and sulphur dioxide were in the 'low' category of air pollution. 'High' levels of PM10 occurred at Preston on one day in 2002, where levels peaked at 80 micrograms per cubic metre. 'Moderate' levels of PM10 were recorded at Preston on three days in 2002. 'Moderate' levels of PM10 were measured at Blackpool on one day in 2002, peaking at 51 micrograms per cubic metre. 'Moderate' levels of ozone were measured in Preston on 47 separate days in 2002, peaking at 67 parts per billion. In Blackpool, 'moderate' levels of ozone were measured on 62 separate days in 2002, peaking at 78 parts per billion. Data for 2002 are provisional. Definitions of 'low', 'moderate' and 'high' pollution levels are provided at Defra's air quality archive.

Bird Registration

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 11 December 2002, Official Report, column 311W, on bird registration, what the significant increase in enforcement action was that caused the increase in costs of running her Department's bird registration scheme between 2000–01 and 2001–02; how many police forces were involved; and how many (a) pending court cases and (b) convictions have resulted from this action.

Elliot Morley: The increase in enforcement costs from 2000–01 to 2001–02 was due partly to increased pay and overhead costs and partly to the recruitment of a number of new inspectors to widen the spread of expertise available to the Department.
	Increased enforcement does not necessarily result in a higher number of court cases as the chief aim of the wildlife inspectors is to deter crime. The number of pending court cases and convictions and the number of police forces involved in taking them forward in 2000–01 and 2001–02 were as follows:
	
		
			  2000–01 2001–02 
		
		
			 Pending cases 0 3 
			 Convictions 3 1 
			 Police forces 3 1

Bird Registration

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 11 December 2002, Official Report, column 312W, on bird registration, what evidence she collated that de-registration of bird species currently listed on schedule 4 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 will not lead to an increase in illegal taking from the wild; and what assessment her Department has made of the cost implications for (a) enforcement and (b) conservation agencies of de-registration.

Elliot Morley: The reason for the consultation was to obtain views and evidence on the possible impact of any changes to Schedule 4. We are still analysing the responses.

Bird Registration

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the likely impact on the United Kingdom peregrine falcon population of removing that species from schedule 4 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Elliot Morley: No assessment has been made. The development of any future proposals for species to be excluded from Schedule 4 would be accompanied by an
	appropriate assessment.

Bird Registration

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 11 December 2002, Official Report, column 311W, on bird registration, what percentage of her Department's bird registration fees were paid by birdkeepers in (a) 1991–92 and (b) 2001–02.

Elliot Morley: In 1991–92, 33 per cent. of the costs of providing the service were recovered and 2001–02, 14 per cent. of costs were recovered.

Bird Registration

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 11 December 2002, Official Report, column 311W, on bird registration, whether changes were made to the fees charged following the consultation on Review of Bird Registration and CITES licensing fees undertaken in July 1999.

Elliot Morley: No changes were made to any fees following the consultation on the review of bird registration and CITES licensing fees undertaken in 1999 because of concerns expressed by consultees.

Bird Registration

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 11 December 2002, Official Report, column 311W, on bird registration, how many birds were registered with her Department's bird registration scheme in (a) 1991–92 and (b) 2001–02; and what cost savings her Department has made in the running of the scheme following the 1994 review of Schedule 4 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Elliot Morley: The Department no longer holds data on how many birds were registered in 1991–92. Before the changes to Schedule 4 in 1993 there were 19,466 birds registered. At 1 January 2002, 6,918 birds were registered.
	In 1991–92 the total costs of Bird Registration were #309,769 and in 2001–02 total costs were #441,557. Because of changes to the species and numbers of birds being registered it is impossible to assess meaningful figures for savings achieved.

Coley

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mechanism is for the disposal of diseased coley taken from within salmon cages; and what assessment she has made of the effect diseased coley has on domestic farm animals in Shetland.

Elliot Morley: The disposal of diseased fish from fish farming operations in Great Britain must be carried out in accordance with the Animal By-Products Order 1999 (SI 1999/646). The disposal of diseased fish in Shetland is the responsibility of the Scottish Executive.

Fisheries

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the terms of fisheries quota swaps undertaken between Spain and Portugal for Western Waters in 1996.

Elliot Morley: I regret that this information is not centrally available.

Hunting

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of who will take over the role of disposing of fallen stock if the number of hunts are reduced as a consequence of the bill.

Alun Michael: The European Union's Animal By-products Regulation will ban routine on-farm burial and burning of animal carcases from 30 April 2003. This will mean that the existing fallen stock service provided by a number of hunts could only continue with considerable investment in new equipment. So the future of the hunts' service is in doubt irrespective of the Hunting Bill. The Government has been holding discussions with the livestock and disposal industry with the aim of developing a national fallen stock scheme.

Marine Wildlife

Huw Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to secure greater protection for marine wildlife.

Elliot Morley: The Government's first Marine Stewardship Report, XSafeguarding our Seas", was published in May 2002. It sets out our strategy for the conservation and sustainable development of the marine environment and reiterated the commitment made at the 5th North Sea Conference to establish a network of well-managed marine protected areas by 2010.
	The Report contained a package of initiatives to better protect marine wildlife. In particular, it confirms our commitment to consult on the Regulations to extend the Habitats Directive out to the limit of jurisdiction of UK waters. We are also finalising our UK-wide Small Cetacean Bycatch Response Strategy. This will identify what measures can be taken to reduce the incidental capture of small cetaceans in fishing nets.
	In addition, our Review of Marine Nature Conservation is currently examining how effectively the current system for marine nature conservation is working and how improvements might be made where conservation objectives are not being met.

Nobel House

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether a Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method document has been prepared for the refurbishment of Nobel House.

Alun Michael: The latest refurbishment in Nobel House was for areas of the sixth and eighth floors. This was undertaken for MAFF in 1997. As only parts of floors were refurbished it was concluded that it would not be appropriate to seek a Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) assessment. In the summer of 2002 Xfit out" work was undertaken to allow Defra to occupy the top four floors of 9 Millbank, which is next door to Nobel House. Again, it was concluded that it would not be appropriate to seek a BREEAM assessment because Defra are not responsible for the building fabric and the building services; these remain the responsibility of the major occupier, Ofgem. Defra does seek BREEAM assessments for the major new or refurbishment schemes for which we are responsible.

Officials

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many officials in her Department work (a) in the Strategic Development Unit and (b) on Regulatory Impact Assessment matters.

Alun Michael: There is no unit within Defra specifically called the Strategic Development Unit. The Policy and Corporate Strategy Unit in Defra employs 59 officials of whom approximately 21 work on strategic policy. Their functions include promoting the development of strategic capability across the Department as a whole.
	Five people work full time in the Better Regulation Unit, which is responsible for advice and guidance within Defra on the Regulatory Impact Assessment process. The unit is supervised by a member of the senior civil service who is also engaged in other duties. Responsibility for preparing individual RIAs rests with officials in the policy divisions who draw on other expertise as necessary, for example economic advisers.

Pigs

Alan Hurst: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many pigs were slaughtered in abattoirs in the United Kingdom in each year between 1990 to 2001.

Elliot Morley: The information requested is given in the table below:
	
		Number of pigs slaughtered in abattoirs in the United Kingdom 1990–2001 -- Unit: Thousand head
		
			  Clean Pigs Sows and AdultBoars Total Pigs 
		
		
			 1990 13,879 325 14,203 
			 1991 14,091 366 14,457 
			 1992(3) 14,143 373 14,515 
			 1993 14,265 356 14,620 
			 1994 14,681 389 15,069 
			 1995 14,021 355 14,376 
			 1996 13,897 324 14,221 
			 1997 15,132 363 15,496 
			 1998(4) 15,872 415 16,286 
			 1999 14,350 379 14,728 
			 2000 12,369 321 12,691 
			 2001 10,449 180 10,628 
		
	
	Notes
	(3) 53 week statistical year
	(4) Figures have been rounded individually and totals will not necessarily agree with the addition of separate figures.

Pigs

Alan Hurst: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many pigs were on holdings in England and Wales in June of each year from 1990.

Elliot Morley: Total pigs in England are shown in the table below. Figures for Wales are a matter for the devolved authority.
	
		Total Pigs (England)
		
			  Number 
		
		
			  
			  
			 1990 6,308,324 
			 1991 6,411,758 
			 1992 6,408,233 
			 1993 6,517,778 
			 1994 6,591,684 
			 1995 6,341,131 
			 1996 6,275,376 
			 1997 6,631,920 
			 1998 6,729,927 
			 1999 6,163,443 
			 2000 5,442,468 
			 2001 4,822,870 
			 2002 4,629,707 
		
	
	Source
	June agricultural and horticultural census.

Water Quality (Lancashire)

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the most recent figures are for water quality on the Lancashire beaches that are regularly tested.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 7 January 2003
	I announced on 11 November the best ever bathing water quality results in England and the North West, with all the Lancashire beaches passing the Directive's main mandatory standards in the 2002 season. Details of the weekly results of the sample testing for individual bathing waters are available on the Environment Agency's internet site at www.environment-agency.gov.uk (then follow XWhat's in your backyard?"). In addition, my Department will be placing in the Library early in the new year our annual publication XBathing Water Directive (76/160/EEC) Detailed Summary of Survey Results—United Kingdom". This lists all identified bathing waters and the results of micro-biological and physico-chemical sample testing.

Working Time Directive

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact of a Working Time Directive on the farm community (a) in its general application and (b) specifically in relation to the movement of livestock to and from another auction; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: No sectoral analysis has been provided by the Department. The Department for Trade and Industry has overall responsibility for implementing the Working Time Directive 1998 and has produced a Regulatory Impact Assessment on the 1998 regulations. As a result of the flexibilities included in the regulations in relation to agricultural work it is anticipated that the additional cost to agriculture and associated sectors will have been small.
	The Working Time Regulations 1998 currently exclude a number of sectors including road transport. A new working time directive (known as the Horizontal Amending Directive) covering the excluded sectors, has been adopted together with three sector specific directives, including the Road Transport Directive. The Horizontal Amending Directive is due to come into effect on 1 August 2003. The Department for Trade and Industry is currently consulting on the draft regulations to implement the Directive.
	The Road Transport Directive is due to come into effect in March 2005 and the Department for Transport will be consulting on its proposals to do this in due course.

TREASURY

PFI Projects

Theresa May: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for South Norfolk (Mr. Bacon) of 11 December 2002, Official Report, column 252, if he will list the PFI projects being carried out in the constituency of Maidenhead.

Paul Boateng: No PFI projects are currently being carried out in the constituency of Maidenhead. However, the constituency benefits from PFI investment both in neighbouring constituencies and at a national level.
	Locally, for example, PFI has helped to channel extra money into hospitals administered by the South Buckinghamshire NHS Trust, which take patients from Maidenhead, and has financed the widening and resurfacing of the nearby M40 motorway. At a national level, PFI has provided vital investment to deliver public services whose benefits extend beyond the constituencies in which they are located, in sectors such as defence and the administration of justice. To date, PFI deals delivering over #20 billion worth of capital investment across the country have been signed.

Climate Change Levy

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what (a) advantages and (b) disadvantages he identified in deciding to introduce the climate change levy in preference to a carbon tax.

John Healey: The Government's decision to introduce the climate change levy as a 'downstream' energy tax took account of the conclusions of Lord Marshall in his 1998 report 'Economic Instruments and the Business Use of Energy'. Lord Marshall concluded that a downstream tax on supplies of energy to the non-domestic sector would be necessary to avoid any tax impacting on domestic energy users. While under such a scheme it is difficult to determine the carbon content of electricity supplies other than as a broad average, it does encourage all non-domestic energy users to improve energy efficiency and thereby reduce carbon emissions. The climate change levy is also consistent with the Government's policy of maintaining a level playing field between different energy sources.

Environmental Taxation

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is on the application of tax to (a) plastic bags and (b) aviation fuel.

John Healey: The Government currently have no plans to introduce a plastic bag tax.
	The 2002 pre-Budget report announced that the Government will discuss with stakeholders the most effective economic instruments for ensuring that the aviation industry is encouraged to take account of, and where appropriate reduce, its contribution to global warming, local air and noise pollution. The Government will set out its plans in its Air Transport White Paper later this year.

SDA Target SDAB3

Norman Lamb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures other than implementation of the Financial Services and Marketing Act were used to determine whether Spending Review 2000 SDA Target SDAB3 was met, as stated on page 20 of the HM Treasury Departmental Report 2002.

Paul Boateng: holding answer 7 January 2003
	The measure used in assessing Spending Review 2000 SDA Target SDAB3 was whether the Financial Services and Markets Act was implemented successfully.
	The target was met on 1 December 2001 (known as N2). This was the point at which the Financial Services Authority acquired all its powers and is when the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 was fully implemented.

Tunes Plateau (Wind Farm)

David Burnside: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what deposit was required from the B9 Consortium with regard to the proposed wind farm on the Tunes Plateau off the County Londonderry coast; and if he will make a statement on the tendering process.

John Healey: I am advised that the development consortium (comprising B9 Energy, Renewable Energy Systems Ltd. and Powergen Renewables Ltd.) have made a premium payment of #30,000 in return for a 12-month exclusivity agreement for the Tunes Plateau site, in order to complete a comprehensive feasibility study.

Voluntary Organisations

David Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the impact of the increased insurance costs on voluntary sector organisations.

Ruth Kelly: The Government are aware of recent rises in premiums for liability insurance, which have affected some businesses and voluntary sector organisations. As announced in the Pre-Budget Report, the Department for Work and Pensions is undertaking a formal review of the operation of Employers' Liability Compulsory Insurance.

WALES

ASW Cardiff

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether the Welsh Environment Agency has agreed to fund the cleaning of the Combustion Chamber at ASW Cardiff.

Peter Hain: holding answer 5 December 2002
	I have been asked to reply. 
	While the Welsh Development Agency would join me in welcoming Celsa's potential future investment in Cardiff, the agency's involvement would be strictly limited by European rules on state aid to assigning the lease on the Castle Works site on purely commercial terms to the new purchasers.
	The Welsh Development Agency has made it clear that the same terms would be available to any potential purchaser.
	The Welsh Development Agency is not able to offer financial inducements to a steel company.

Green Ministers

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which Minister in his Department is the nominated Green Minister; how often he has attended meetings of the Green Ministers; and which official has responsibility for the Defra rural proofing check-list in his Department.

Peter Hain: My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Wales is the nominated Green Minister for my Department and regularly attends meetings of the Cabinet sub-committee.
	Rural impacts of policies, which apply across England and Wales, are assessed by the relevant lead Government Department. The development of distinctively Welsh policies is undertaken in conjunction with the National Assembly for Wales whose own integrated appraisal tool includes full consideration of the impacts on rural areas.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Christmas Expenses

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much will be spent on (a) entertaining, (b) Christmas decorations and (c) other festive activities this Christmas season by her Department and Government agencies answerable to her Department; and of this sum, how much will be spent in Ministers' (i) private offices and (ii) official residences.

Kim Howells: holding answer 19 December 2002
	The Department, including the Royal Parks, will have spent #9,944.26 on entertaining, #1,430 on Christmas decorations and #3,369.31 on other festive activities in this Christmas season. Of these amounts, #64.26 will have been spent in Ministers' private offices. No Minister in the Department has an official residence.
	All of this expenditure is strictly for official purposes only and made in accordance with the departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in Government Accounting.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Hawk Exports

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what equipment has been exported under the OIEL for the transfer of Hawk components and production equipment to India, which was formally issued on 6 September 2001.

Nigel Griffiths: holding answer 17 December 2002
	I refer the right hon. and learned Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Mr. Llwyd) on 18 March 2002, Official Report, column 53W.

Battery Recycling

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the answer of 19 November 2002, Official Report, column 107W, if she will make a statement on the proposed disposal or reuse of this material.

Brian Wilson: The aim of industrial nickel cadmium battery collection schemes including Bat-Re-Back in the UK and the Collect Nicad schemes in other EU states is to create a closed loop process which will see the collected batteries sent to a recycling facility where the cadmium is extracted for use in the manufacture of new batteries and the nickel is recycled and sold to the steel industry. The batteries collected from Bat-Re-Back are sent to the SNAM recycling facility in France. Although consumer nickel cadmium batteries are not widely collected in the UK they can be subject to the same recycling process.

British Energy

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the costs to British Energy of (a) storage of all AGR nuclear fuel and (b) continuation with current reprocessing contracts in each year of the projected life of each of British Energy's advanced gas-cooled reactors.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 19 December 2002
	Details of the restructuring proposal, including those relating to historic and future spent AGR fuel management, were set out by British Energy in its announcement on 28 November 2002.
	The spent fuel management contracts between British Energy and BNFL are a matter for the companies. The Government intend to look at how the historic spent fuel contracts are managed as a part of the creation of the Liabilities Management Authority.

British Energy

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the likely effects on the public purse of British Energy going bankrupt.

Brian Wilson: British Energy submitted a plan to Government for the solvent restructuring of the company. The Department and its financial advisers assessed the implications and decided to support it. Should British Energy not be able to deliver the restructuring plan, the Government are prepared to see the company go into administration, and would need to consider further the future structure of the business, its assets and liabilities.

Coal Health Compensation Scheme

Andy Burnham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much compensation was paid to people resident in the (a) Leigh, (b) Markerfield, (c) Wigan parliamentary constituencies and (d) the Wigan borough under the Coal Health Compensation Scheme, by 15 December (i) 2000, (ii) 2001 and (iii) 2002.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 17 December 2002
	It is not possible to provide the statistics requested for the year 2000. In the timescale available it is not possible to provide statistics for the year 2002 up until 15 December 2002. However, we are able to provide figures for Wigan Borough up to 12 December 2002 and figures for the constituencies up to 30 November 2002.
	
		# 
		
			  Parliamentary Constituency  
			 Damages Paid Leigh Markerfield Wigan Wigan Borough 
		
		
			  Cummulatively to 31 December 2001  
			 COPD 1,600,923 1,341,454 962,818 495,762 
			 VWF 1,570,421 1,427,337 716,237 127,799 
			  
			  1 January 2002 to 30 November 2002  
			 COPD 2,168,399 1,433,227 1,351,650  
			 VWF 588,329 713,145 295,420  
			  
			  1 January 2002 to 12 December 2002  
			 COPD657,904 
			 VWF6,801

Construction (Skills Gap)

Howard Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures her Department is taking to address the construction industry's skills gap; and if she will make a statement.

Brian Wilson: In order to recruit and retain people with the necessary skills at all levels, the construction industry needs to address the underlying issues which prevent it being seen as a career of first choice. Rethinking Construction and the Construction Best Practice Programme, which DTI supports, are working to tackle these issues. DTI is also working with the Strategic Forum for Construction which intends to develop and implement strategies to enable the industry to recruit and retain the 300,000 qualified people that CITB estimate are required by the end of 2006, and result in a 50 per cent. increase in suitable applications to build environment, higher and further education courses by 2007.
	The DTI also works closely with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB—the statutory industry training board) and other industry bodies to ensure that workers in construction receive the training they need. For example, DTI gives support to XNational Construction Week", a major national event showcasing career opportunities for the industry; the XMaking Connections" initiative, which aims to attract and retain higher quality graduates in greater numbers; and a Xlanguage skills audit" to assess the perceived need for language skills in construction, where the first language of significant numbers of workers is not English.
	The DTI, together with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and the Department for Education and Skills (DfES), is taking forward a pan-industry skills and workforce development agenda that is relevant to the construction sector. The DTI recognises the particular importance of high quality leadership and management, and has just published a Government response to the final report of the Council for Excellence in Management and Leadership (CEML).

Crown Copyright

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry who sits on the HMSO's Crown Copyright User Group from (a) her Department and (b) industry; and if she will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 7 January 2003
	The Crown Copyright User Group, has industry members from:
	Barbour Index plc;
	Rouse & Co International Ltd;
	The Stationery Office Ltd;
	Thomson Professional Information UK;
	The Publishers' Association;
	Reuters Ltd;
	Technical Indexes;
	Electronic Publishing Services Ltd, also representing the Information and
	Communication Industries Association.
	The Department of Trade and Industry member was from Communication and Information Industries Directorate.

Dounreay (Decommissioning)

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what implications costs arising from the decommissioning of Dounreay have for the estimated cost of decommissioning other publicly held nuclear liabilities; and if she will make a statement.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 19 December 2002
	The programme for decommissioning nuclear licensed sites is a matter for the nuclear site license holders and their regulators, taking into account Government policy on nuclear decommissioning. The programme at Dounreay has no special implications for the cost of dealing with other publicly held nuclear liabilities.

Electricity Prices

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the change in (a) the wholesale price of electricity and (b) the price of electricity charged to retail customers since 1998.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 19 December 2002
	Since 1998 the month ahead baseload prices for electricity supplied by generators to energy suppliers have fallen by 40 per cent. in real terms up to March 2002.
	The average price of electricity charged to domestic customers has fallen by 11 per cent. in real terms between Q3 1998 and Q3 2002, while that for industrial customers (excluding the Climate Change Levy) has fallen by 23 per cent. in real terms between Q2 1998 and Q2 2002. Domestic customers who switch electricity supplier can save more. At the end of March 2002 over one third of domestic customers were with suppliers other than their traditional home supplier, saving on average around #23 (9 per cent.) on an annual electricity bill in 2002 compared to customers remaining with their traditional home supplier.

Fireworks

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the restrictions are on the times of year when fireworks can be sold; what assessment she has made of the adequacy of these restrictions in tackling misuse of fireworks; and what plans she has to make all parts of the 1976 Firework Package Deal legally binding.

Melanie Johnson: There are no legal restrictions on the times of year when fireworks can be sold. However, the voluntary sales agreement, introduced in 1976, limits the sales of fireworks to three weeks before November 5, and for a few days afterwards. This plays a role in containing the period when fireworks are available for sale, and hence, limiting misuse. To make the voluntary sales period mandatory would require primary legislation.

Gas Supply (Winter)

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she had made of the capability of the gas pipeline infrastructure to meet peak winter demand; what contingency plans are in place if the infrastructure fails; and if she will make a statement.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 19 December 2002
	The design and investment in the gas pipeline infrastructure is a matter for Transco. Their operating licence obligates them to maintain the network to withstand peak demand and conditions in the sort of severe winter we would face once in a 20 year period. Historic weather patterns dating back to 1928 are used in assessing the risks.
	Copies of Transco's emergency plans are already in the Libraries of the House. I have now also placed copies of the recently updated Gas Industry Emergency Committee plans in the Library. These show how the Government and the wider gas community would work with Transco in handling an emergency affecting the gas transmission system. The plans were last tested in September 2002.

Insolvency Service

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the progress of the annual pay negotiations for the Insolvency Service.

Melanie Johnson: Pay negotiations commenced on 13 December. Both parties are working to reach a settlement as soon as possible.

Kyoto Targets

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list her Department's policies that have as one of their objectives helping Britain meet its Kyoto carbon dioxide emission targets.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 19 December 2002
	The UK Climate Change Programme, which the Government published in November 2000 sets out the Government's integrated package of policies and measures to deliver the UK's commitment to reduce its emissions of greenhouse gases under the Kyoto Protocol.
	DTI leads on energy policy, where it has encouraged the growth of renewable energy, which will have an important role in meeting our Kyoto targets. In particular, under the Renewables Obligation, electricity suppliers will be obliged to provide a specific proportion of their power supplies from renewable sources.
	The Government is currently carrying out a review of energy policy with a view to issuing a White Paper in the New Year. The White Paper will set out the Government's future energy policies including those relating to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions both globally and nationally in the 21st century.
	The DTI has worked with other Departments to develop and implement policies and measures in the Climate Change Programme, in particular those affecting business. In this context, it has worked with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and HM Treasury on the climate change levy and emissions trading, the establishment of the Carbon Trust and the implementation of the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control regulatory regime.

Miners (Industrial Diseases)

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average delay between a current or former miner agreeing to a final settlement payment for industrial disease and receiving it was in the last 12 months (a) in the UK, (b) in the East Midlands and (c) in Bassetlaw.

Brian Wilson: The figures in the table are the number of days between the Department's claim handler's, IRISC, receiving the acceptance letter and the final payment being made.
	I understand my hon. Friend has indicated to the Department that he no longer requires these figures for the East Midlands.
	
		
			  COPD VWF 
			  Expedited Payment Full and Final Offer Full and Final Offer 
		
		
			 UK 8 Days 9 Days 4 Days 
			 Bassetlaw 6 Days 7 Days 4 Days

Nuclear Plant Security

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to deploy (a) anti-aircraft and (b) ground-to-air missile batteries around nuclear power plants and nuclear fuel cycle facilities in response to the terrorist threat.

Brian Wilson: None. Security at civil nuclear sites is ensured in a number of ways, all of which are kept under review.

Nuclear Power

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of the excess of generating capacity over consumption if all electricity from UK nuclear power stations were to cease.

Brian Wilson: UK generation capacity currently exceeds peak demand by more than 20 per cent. Nuclear currently makes up around 15 per cent. of UK capacity. Reflecting overall excess capacity wholesale electricity prices are low and some capacity has been mothballed. The impact on capacity margins of a cessation of electricity from nuclear power stations will therefore depend on the timescale over which nuclear output were to decline. Mothballed plant could return to operation. In the longer term new plant would be built.
	Output from nuclear power stations is forecast to decline from its current level of around 20 per cent. of total generation to around 7 per cent. by 2020 as existing stations close, unless the regulatory authorities approve extensions to the life of these stations or new capacity is introduced.

Nuclear Power

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what sum has been identified as representing the maximum cost to public spending over the next 10 years of supporting the nuclear industry.

Brian Wilson: On current projections, the clean up of nuclear liabilities at BNFL and UK Atomic Energy Authority sites is expected to cost some #1.3 billion per year over the next 10 to 15 years. In addition, the cost of the Government's contribution to British Energy's historic nuclear fuel liabilities is expected to average #150 million to #200 million per year for the next 10 years and fall thereafter.

Nuclear Power

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her policy is on the time a discontinued nuclear power station should remain untouched before dismantling begins.

Brian Wilson: Decommissioning of a nuclear power station, including details of timing, is a matter for the operator, taking into account the requirements of the regulatory authorities.

Renewable Energy

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had with ministerial colleagues on the potential impact on the development of renewable energy sources of the implementation of an indicative planning process; and if she will make a statement.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 19 December 2002
	DTI Ministers have met and discussed the impact of renewable energy developments on the planning process with colleagues in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. These discussions have taken place in the context of: preparing the Energy White Paper, which the Government plan to publish early in the new year, the re-drafting of Planning Policy Statement 22 which sets out statutory planning guidance on renewables in England and the ODPM's wider planning reforms.

Scottish Electricity Grid

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on proposals to improve the Scottish electricity grid.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 19 December 2002
	It is vitally important that there are no barriers to Scotland's renewable electricity output being brought to centres of demand further south. Following a report, which was published by my Department in February, into the possibility of building a subsea cable to take electricity generated in Scotland down the west coast to link up with the onshore grid system further south, my Department set up the Transmission Issues Working Group to consider the implications for the grid infrastructure of significant increases in renewable energy generating capacity throughout Great Britain.
	The Working Group considered the costs of reinforcing both marine links and the grid onshore to bring electricity generated in Scotland to markets in the south and the transmission system operators in both Scotland and England are currently in discussions with their regulator, Ofgem, on the regulatory framework for making this happen. The report of the Transmission Issues Working Group will be published early next year.

Small Retail Businesses

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimates she has made of the value of small retail businesses to the UK economy.

Nigel Griffiths: holding answer 7 January 2003
	Small and medium-sized enterprises are critical to the UK economy, generating new jobs and contributing to over half of the UK business revenue. Recent figures estimate there were 3.7 million enterprises employing nearly 23 million people, and with an annual turnover of over #2 trillion. Small retail businesses (sector 52 with 0 to 249 employees) represent 8 per cent. of all enterprises, 5 per cent. of all work force jobs and account for 4 per cent. of the UK turnover.

Solar PV Industry

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what criteria she will use to judge the success of phase one of her Department's solar PV major demonstration programme.

Brian Wilson: The success of the first phase of the major PV demonstration programme will be judged by a number of criteria including: whether the target number of installations have been completed within the budget, whether the overall cost of the PV systems has reduced significantly, and whether a strong PV industry in both installation and manufacture has been established.

Solar PV Industry

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures her Department has put in place since 1997 to encourage investment in the off-grid solar PV market; and if she will make a statement.

Brian Wilson: The Department has funded a number of research and development projects under its Renewable Energy Programme, such as Hybrolight and Aviation Beacon/Landing Lights, Transport Refrigeration, Vaccine Fridge, Desalination System and UK leadership of an International Energy Agency PV Power Systems Task on PV for Developing Countries.

Solar PV Industry

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether a decision to move to phase 2 of the solar PV major demonstration programme will be made in consultation with the UK solar PV industry.

Brian Wilson: We take it as read that the UK solar PV industry would welcome a second phase of the major PV demonstration programme. Should there be one, we will endeavour to consult them as far as is practicable about its shape and operation.

Transco

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of attendances by Transco at uncontrolled gas escapes were achieved within one hour in the last 12 months.

Brian Wilson: According to figures reported to Ofgem, in the 12 months to 30 November 2002, Transco attended 98.51 per cent. of uncontrolled gas escapes within one hour, against a target of 97 per cent.

TXU Energy

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations her Department received concerning TXU energy before 19November; and if she will make a statement.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 19 December 2002
	My officials and I were kept informed as to the developing situation at TXU Europe throughout the period of its difficulties.

Wind Farms

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry further to her answer of 11 December, Official Report, column 329W, if she will set out the conclusions of the research; and if she will make a statement.

Brian Wilson: The Wind Energy, Defence and Civil Aviation Interests Working Group, which was set up and is chaired by the Department, published in October Interim Guidelines on Wind Energy and Aviation Interests. The guidelines are intended to be a Xliving document" which will be updated and amended to reflect the outcome of research into the interaction between wind turbines and aviation (particularly radar). Copies of the document have been deposited in the Libraries of the House.
	The Working Group will be considering arrangements for the release of the studies as they are completed. The ongoing research includes studies to produce a model which will be used to predict the impact of wind turbines on radar systems; to investigate the various technical approaches which could reduce these impacts, and a study to examine European experience and practice regarding the impact of wind turbines on aviation interests.
	251W

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Burma

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much her Department gave through multilateral agencies in (a) 2000, (b) 2001 and (c) 2002 to (i) the Government of Burma and (ii) the Burmese internally displaced people.

Clare Short: In calendar year 2000 my Department provided approximately #1.8 million through global funding of the UN and ECHO for poor and vulnerable people in Burma. The figures for 2001 and 2002 are not yet available. We also gave humanitarian funding to ICRC in support of its work with the very vulnerable and war affected in Burma. Additionally, we provided humanitarian funding for UNHCR and WHO in support of their work with refugees and the very vulnerable within Burma and across the Thai border. The breakdown by financial years is as follows:
	
		# million 
		
			  2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 (to date) 
		
		
			 UNHCR 0 0.805 0.407 
			 WHO 0.3 0 0.27 
			 ICRC 0 0.8 0.5

Burma

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much her Department is proposing to give in 2003 to (a) the Government of Burma and (b) the Burmese internally displaced people.

Clare Short: DFID's funding to assist the poor in Burma is not channelled through the Government but through selected non-governmental organisations, United Nation's agencies, and the EU (ECHO). This policy will not be altered unless there is substantive political change.
	During 2003–04 DFID expects to spend more than #2 million on the extremely vulnerable including refugees and otherwise displaced people within Burma and on both sides of the border with Thailand.

Burma

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the use of child soldiers in Burma.

Clare Short: There is credible information, including from Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and the United Nations that this is a serious problem in Burma, both with the Burmese army and also Burmese insurgent groups. In November, the EU co-sponsored a resolution on Burma at the United Nations General Assembly that expressed grave concern over the human rights situation in Burma, including the use of child soldiers.

Burma

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of human rights abuses by Burmese soldiers, with particular reference to sexual violence against ethnic minority women and girls.

Clare Short: The use of sexual violence by members of the Burmese armed forces requires a thorough and independent investigation. The EU co-sponsored a resolution on the human rights situation in Burma in November 2002 at the United Nations General Assembly that condemned the Burmese regime's human rights record, including the instances of sexual violence by members of the armed forces.

Burma

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions she has held with (a) groups working in Burma and (b) the Burmese internally displaced people.

Clare Short: None.

Child Soldiers

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the recent UN report on child soldiers.

Clare Short: The latest UN Secretary General's report on children and armed conflict covers a range of issues, including child soldiers, on which we are actively engaged. My Department finds the report a useful source of information and guidance. The emphasis on the Xera of application" is particularly to be welcomed and supported.
	While the report provides some cause for optimism, for instance the coming into force of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, there is much more to be done to reduce the impact of armed conflict on children, their families and communities. The best way to achieve this is by the prevention, reduction and resolution of armed conflicts. My Department has intensified its work with other Government Departments to this end. While the Secretary General's report, pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution 1379, identifies various countries where the direct use of children in conflict continues, it is to be welcomed that the report also focuses on those aspects of children and armed conflict that tend to receive less attention, such as the impact of land-mines and the sexual exploitation of girls.

Child Soldiers

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the Governments of (a) Afghanistan, (b) Burundi, (c) the Democratic Republic of Congo, (d) Liberia, (e) Somalia, (f) Burma and (g) Colombia on the recent UN Report on child soldiers; and what efforts she is making to end the practice of using child soldiers.

Clare Short: No direct discussions have been held with the above-mentioned Governments and Administrations specifically on the recent report. In Afghanistan the UK will be sending an expert to support the UN and the transitional authority with the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of former and current combatants. The new Afghan National Army will have no child soldiers in its ranks.
	The UK is both very actively engaged in the peace processes in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi and a major contributor to the process of disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration in the Great Lakes region. We are also playing a part in the Somalia peace process. Information from a number of sources, including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and the United Nations, indicates that use of child soldiers is a serious problem in Burma, both by the Burmese army and various Burmese insurgent groups. In November, the EU co-sponsored a resolution on Burma at the United Nations General Assembly that expressed grave concern over the human rights situation in Burma, including the use of child soldiers.
	In addition UNICEF has recently produced, with our assistance, a publication on the use of child soldiers in the East Asia and Pacific region. The Quaker United Nations Office has recently produced a ground-breaking report—with my Department's support—on the lives of girl child soldiers in Colombia, Angola, Sri Lanka and the Philippines. For instance, the report describes particularly the relationship between sexual or physical abuse and exploitation at home and girls' willingness to become involved in armed conflict and how living in poverty played a key role in girls joining a movement or being abducted.

Children (Trauma)

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  what her Department is doing to help children suffering grave psychological trauma as a result of conflict situations;
	(2)  what her Department is doing to help women and girls who have been victims of rape and sexual violence as a deliberate instrument of war;
	(3)  what her Department is doing to help children (a) orphaned, (b) seriously injured and (c) permanently disabled as a result of conflict situations.

Clare Short: Armed conflict often seriously affects the development of children including by the infliction of serious damage to their physical and mental health. Children are damaged through land-mines, direct targeting of their homes and schools, sexual violence including rape and being forced to take part in direct hostilities. The best way to protect children from the impact of armed conflict is to prevent, reduce and resolve conflict. My Department has intensified its work with other Government Departments to this end. DFID also provides humanitarian assistance to children displaced by conflict or who have lost their families. We support efforts by the International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent to try to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law. DFID also supports the work of UNICEF, UNHCR and other humanitarian agencies of the United Nations, as well as humanitarian NGOs. Many of these provide direct assistance to children who have been subjected to acts of physical and mental violence and their families and communities. This assistance can take the form of the provision of a safe place to live, health care, education, psycho-social assistance and food aid. For instance my Department has a global commitment to UNHCR of #14 million per year. This is in addition to targeted contributions in response to specific regional situations. Our work with UNICEF, UNHCR and humanitarian non-governmental organisations is also concerned with increasing their capacity to respond appropriately to children who have been treated so egregiously in armed conflict situations.
	Women and girls are targeted for sexual abuse and exploitation in situations of armed conflict, often as a deliberate strategy to terrorise them and their families. This issue was highlighted during the recent open debate on women peace and security at the UN Security Council in October when the UK had the Chair. The UK has also been instrumental in encouraging the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on this issue, which emphasised the use of sexual violence against women and girls. DFID is supporting the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) in its multi-year programme to identify the causes and impact of sexual violence against women and girls in conflict situations. It also supports the UN Department of Peace-Keeping Operations and non-governmental organisations to highlight gender issues, including sexual violence, associated with conflict.

Eritrea

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the numbers of children aged (a) 1 to 3 and (b) 4 to 5 years old suffering from malnutrition in Eritrea; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: We do not have a specific breakdown by age of the number of children suffering from malnutrition in Eritrea. However, UNICEF have reported that, as of July 2002, three out of the six zones of Eritrea were showing levels of malnutrition in children above 15 per cent., and that more recent surveys have shown an increase.

UN Relief and Works Agency

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on Government funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency.

Clare Short: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave the hon. Member for South-East Cornwall (Mr. Breed) earlier today.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Asylum Seekers

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to make changes to the use of asylum centres to process applications; how many asylum seekers are housed in accommodation centres; and where asylum seekers are placed when the centres are full.

Beverley Hughes: Accommodation centres will be introduced on a trial basis with a total capacity of around 3,000 in the trial period. We have made clear our intention that accommodation centres will contribute to faster processing of asylum claims with caseworking and appeal hearings taking place on-site at the centres unless there are sound pragmatic reasons for not doing so. Destitute asylum seekers who qualify for support but who are not placed in the accommodation centres will be supported under existing dispersal arrangements.

Asylum Seekers

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers needing accommodation were dispersed to each region of UK in each month since the introduction of the NASS.

Beverley Hughes: Figures are only available on a quarterly basis.
	The table shows the number of asylum seekers (including dependants) who were supported in the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) accommodation as at the end of each quarter since June 2000. 1 Figures are not available for the number of new asylum seekers who were dispersed in each quarter.
	
		
			 Region June 2000 September 2000 December 2000 March 2001 June 2001 
		
		
			 East Midlands 140 300 760 1,140 1,485 
			 East of England 0 0 0 140 205 
			 Greater London 70 140 245 405 620 
			 North East 600 1,120 2,420 3,210 4,055 
			 North West 1,090 1,785 3,415 4,580 5,870 
			 Northern Ireland 0 0 0 40 50 
			 Scotland 605 915 1,200 2,395 3,530 
			 South Central 140 175 195 220 365 
			 South West 5 100 380 425 485 
			 Wales 0 * 15 20 295 
			 West Midlands 95 500 1,350 2,125 3,610 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 570 1,660 3,550 4,845 5,930 
			 Overall total 3,315 6,700 13,535 19,540 26,505 
		
	
	
		
			 Region September 2001 December 2001 March 2002 June 2002 September 2002 
		
		
			 East Midlands 2,255 3,215 3,740 4,045 4,400 
			 East of England 235 320 470 520 550 
			 Greater London 870 1,470 1,870 2,230 2,365 
			 North East 4,330 4,765 5,435 5,750 5,700 
			 North West 6,885 8,155 8,870 9,500 10,250 
			 Northern Ireland 65 75 85 90 125 
			 Scotland 4,185 4,750 4,885 5,040 5,240 
			 South Central 605 800 1,015 1,040 1,055 
			 South West 595 665 765 815 830 
			 Wales 455 705 1,015 1,150 1,405 
			 West Midlands 5,295 6,930 8,035 9,340 9,975 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 7,115 8,470 9,455 9,560 9,690 
			 Overall total 32,890 40,325 45,640 49,085 51,590 
		
	
	(5) All figures have been rounded to the nearest five. Figures between one and two are represented by a *. Figures for each quarter exclude cases where support has been ceased before the end of that quarter.
	Statistics on the number of asylum seekers supported by NASS in each region are published quarterly on the Home Office's immigration statistics website: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 7 October from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mohammed Asim Qureshi.

Beverley Hughes: I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 13 December 2002.

Immigration

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will abolish his rule that prevents those awaiting decisions of the UK immigration authorities from carrying out voluntary work.

Beverley Hughes: We are keen to see asylum seekers and recognised refugees take an active interest in the welfare of their own communities and the local community by undertaking voluntary activity while they are in the UK. All asylum seekers, whether or not they are the principal applicant, may take part in voluntary activity at any point during their time in the UK. Others whose conditions of entry or stay prohibit employment paid or unpaid may not undertake voluntary work while their applications are being considered and we have no plans to change this.

Missing Persons

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce a common reporting procedure for police services for missing persons.

John Denham: There is an agreed procedure: details of all missing persons should be recorded on the Police National Computer (PNC) as soon as possible and in any case within 48 hours of their disappearance.
	Notification of all outstanding missing persons should be sent to the Police National Missing Persons Bureau (PNMPB), based at New Scotland Yard, within 14 days. Most missing persons are found locally within this period. Forces will not, however, be precluded from forwarding information to the PNMPB in a shorter time if a particular case appears to warrant more urgent attention.
	Details of unidentified persons or bodies found should be reported to the PNMPB within 48 hours of being found.

Police Stations

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many police stations have (a) opened and (b) closed in Lancashire in each year from 1997 to 2002;
	(2)  how many police stations have (a) opened and (b) closed in the north-west of England in 2002.

John Denham: Chief constables in the north-west have provided information on the number of police stations that have opened and closed in the region in 2002. This is given in the table:
	
		Calendar year 2002
		
			 Force Opened Closed Total 
		
		
			 Cheshire 0 1 34 
			 Cumbria 1 2 24 
			 Greater Manchester 1 1 68 
			 Lancashire 0 1 88 
			 Merseyside 0 0 43 
		
	
	The chief constable of Lancashire has provided information on the number of police stations opened and closed in each year from 1997 to 2002. This is set out in the table.
	
		Police station numbers in Lancashire 1997 to 2002
		
			 Financial year to: Opened Closed Total 
		
		
			 March 1997 0 -3 102 
			 March 1998 0 -4 98 
			 March 1999 0 -5 93 
			 March 2000 0 -3 90 
			 March 2001 0 -1 89 
			 March 2002 0 0 89 
			 2002 to date 0 -1 88 
		
	
	It is the Government's role to allocate grant to police force areas as a whole. Capital grant and credit approval in 2002–03 for all police authorities in England and Wales totalled #199 million, including #20 million specifically for premises improvement and associated items. It is for the chief constable to decide how best to deploy available resources according to operational priorities and objectives. Accordingly, the decision to close a police station or restrict opening hours is an operational matter for the chief constable and not one in which it would be appropriate for the Home Office or Ministers to become involved.

Public Footpaths

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many prosecutions there have been in the Greater London area of cyclists for cycling on the public highway without lights on their bicycles in the last 12 months;
	(2)  how many prosecutions there have been of adults for cycling on public footpaths in the Greater London area during the last 12 months.

Bob Ainsworth: The available information, relating to the Greater London Area (Metropolitan and City of London police forces) for 2001 is contained in the table.
	This relates to riding on footpaths (which will include riding on pavements and using footpaths designated for pedestrians) and lighting and reflector offences (which will include cycling without lights).
	Information for 2002 will be published in the late autumn of 2003.
	
		Persons proceeded against for offences connected with pedal cycles, Greater London 2001
		
			 Offence description/Principal statute 2001 
		
		
			 Lighting and reflector offences Road Traffic Act 1988 Sec. 81 and RVL Regs. 1989 2 
			 Riding on footpath (persons aged 18 and over only) Highways Act, 1835 Sec 72; (as amended by Local Government Act 1888 S.85(1), the Statute Law Revision (No2) Act 1888, Highways Act 1959 Sch25, Criminal Justice Act 1967, 3rd Sch. and Criminal Justice Act 1982, ss 39 and 46 and Sch.3); Metropolitan Police Act, 1839, Sec.54(7) and Byelaws. 11

Public Footpaths

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the policy is of the Metropolitan police in seeking to deter adults from cycling on public footpaths; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: Cycling inconsiderately or irresponsibly on public footpaths is a criminal offence. The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that the Metropolitan police view the offence seriously, particularly where it is likely to result in danger being caused. Any Metropolitan police officer who is called to or witnesses such an offence will take whatever action is appropriate in the circumstances. The offence can be dealt with by way of a fixed penalty of #30. To help the police with enforcement we have made it possible for community support officers (CSOs) appointed under the Police Reform Act 2002 to issue these penalties. We have provided the Metropolitan police with additional funding for the recruitment of 500 CSOs.

Sporting Events (Violence)

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been legally prevented from travelling abroad to football matches since 1997 as a result of prosecution for violent behaviour.

John Denham: 1,401 individuals are currently prevented from travelling abroad by the conditions of their football banning orders. Since 1 January 2000, a further 175 orders preventing travel have expired. All individuals subject to an order have at least one conviction for an offence of violence or disorder. No information is available for the period 1997–99.

Sporting Events (Violence)

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with European colleagues regarding prevention of violence at football and other sporting events.

John Denham: The Government work very closely with their European counterparts in tackling football disorder through active participation in Council of the European Union (ED) and Council of Europe fora. In the last 12 months this has resulted in a number of European-wide initiatives, including an updated XEuropean Handbook on International Police Co-operation in connection with Football Matches" and the setting-up in each EU member and candidate state of a XNational Football Police Information Point" for exchanging football-related intelligence and other information. The United Kingdom is also playing a leading role in a Council of Europe working group on the role of football in delivering social policy and in a recently established European 'think tank' on tackling football related violence. There are regular bilateral meetings with European colleagues.

Transnational Sex Trade

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what legal assistance is provided to women that have entered Britain illegally as victims of sex trade.

Beverley Hughes: The White Paper XSecure Borders, Safe Haven: Integration With Diversity Within Modern Britain"—published in February 2002—sets out our general proposals for assisting the victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation. Briefly, where trafficked people are willing to come forward to the authorities, we shall where necessary make special arrangements for their protection including the provision of safe accommodation and health checks. We will consider, in the light of individual circumstances, whether it would be appropriate to allow them to remain here. Where they are to return home, we will assist them to do so, providing them with initial counselling, ensuring that they have suitable accommodation to return to, and providing help to enable them to reintegrate into their own community and find employment.
	We propose to commission non-governmental organisations to provide a range of support services, including access to legal advice, for women who are victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation, when trafficking shortly becomes an offence, as anticipated, on commencement of the relevant provision of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002.

Violent Crime (Havering)

John Cryer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many calls to police within the London borough of Havering were logged in the period 1 October 2001 to 30 September 2002 relating to incidents of (a) noise nuisance, (b) disturbance in a public place, (c) drunkenness, (d) criminal damage, (e) community problems and (f) other unlisted disturbances; and which localities are defined as hotspots for this type of offence.

John Denham: The requested information is not collected centrally.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Asylum Support

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what responsibility his Department has for investigating fraud and error in the asylum support budget; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: I have been asked to reply.
	The Home Office is responsible for providing support to asylum seekers who are destitute. The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) is responsible for administering the support provided to asylum seekers. NASS has established a mechanism for investigating fraud and error in its asylum support system.

Green Ministers

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which Minister in his Department is nominated Green Minister; how often he has attended meetings of the Green Ministers; and which official has responsibility for the DEFRA rural proofing check-list in his Department.

Maria Eagle: Our Green Minister is my noble Friend the Baroness Hollis of Heigham.
	It is established practice under Exemption 2 of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information not to disclose information relating to the proceedings of the Cabinet and its Committees—such as ministerial attendance at Committees.
	A list of names of departmental rural contacts, who meet regularly, is not, published as personnel and machinery of Government changes mean that any published list would be out of date fairly quickly.

Pay Offer Information Pack

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will place a copy of the Department 2002 pay offer information pack in the Library.

Ian McCartney: The information has been placed in the Library.

Pensions

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what action he is taking to help the poorest pensioners.

Ian McCartney: The Government want all pensioners to have a decent and secure income in retirement and to share fairly in the rising prosperity of the country. The Government's first priority has been to help the poorest pensioners.
	From April 2002, the Government are spending an extra #6 billion a year in real terms on pensioners as a result of policies introduced since 1997. This includes #2½ billion more on the poorest third of pensioners. This is three times more than a link between the basic state pension and average earnings since 1998 would have given them.
	We have introduced a range of initiatives designed to encourage pensioners to take up their entitlements. For the minimum income guarantee (MIG) we have undertaken a national advertising campaign, which resulted in almost 140,000 successful claims, with an average gain of #20 per week. We have also reduced the MIG claim form from 40 to 10 pages, introduced a MIG specific leaflet, and we are identifying potential beneficiaries through key events, such as claiming state pension.
	A key priority, for both Government and the Pension Service is the successful take up of the new pension credit, which will enhance and replace the MIG. It has been specifically designed to be easy for pensioners to claim and to be less intrusive. The weekly means test will be abolished for the over 65s and be replaced by a statement of their circumstances every five years. Capital rules will be relaxed and the upper capital limit abolished.
	Our take-up plan for pension credit is extensive and makes use of a range of channels. We will transfer existing MIG recipients to pension credit, ready for payments to be made from October 2003; write to all pensioners not already receiving MIG by June 2004 to alert them to possible pension credit entitlement, supported by a national publicity campaign; work with local partners to help support the communications to pensioners, and tailor marketing and communications activity accordingly.
	The Government have introduced other initiatives to help pensioners. These include winter fuel payments (WFPs), which will continue to be paid to qualifying households at #200 a year throughout this Parliament. In addition, we have introduced free TV licences for the over 75s, worth #104 a year. The WFPs and TV licences are non income-related and are tax free.
	All of the above demonstrate the importance that we attach to encouraging pensioners to take-up their entitlements, which in turn helps the poorest pensioners.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Access to Children (Germany)

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what follow-up action will be taken to contact British parents who have reported prevention of access to their children in Germany to British Consulates, in order to identify the common problems they are experiencing and give them assistance in the future.

Mike O'Brien: Responsibility for cases concerning parental access to children in Germany lies with the Lord Chancellor's Department, Germany being a party to the 1980 Hague Convention on international child abduction. The FCO will continue to provide such consular advice and support as it properly can, in conjunction with the Lord Chancellor's Department, to British nationals who request it.

Charles Knowles

Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department sent category D compensation claim number 3002250 on behalf of Mr. Charles Knowles to the United Nations Compensation Commission; and whether his Department received confirmation of receipt.

Mike O'Brien: Mr. Charles Knowles' category D compensation claim, reference number 3002250, was sent to the United Nations Compensation Commission on 15 July 1993. The Department received written confirmation of receipt on 7 August 2002.

Convention on the Future of Europe

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take action in the Convention on the Future of Europe to ensure that the proposed duty to further the aims of the EU does not include joining the euro.

Denis MacShane: The UK would not agree to a Constitutional Treaty that would compel us to join the Euro.

Cote d'Ivoire

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on developments in Côte d'Ivoire; what the Government's policy is on (a) security and (b) international intervention in Côte d'Ivoire; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, remains deeply concerned about the crisis in Cote d'Ivoire, and its implications both for the people of Cote d'Ivoire and for the wider region.
	Recent fighting, particularly in the west of the country between the MPIGO/MJP rebel groups and Government forces, means that the security situation in Cote d'Ivoire remains extremely fragile. Since 9 December 2002, we have advised all UK nationals present in Cote d'Ivoire to use commercial means to leave the country.
	We have consistently made clear that the UK opposes any attempt to overthrow the elected government by force. We continue to provide support to the efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) leaders to promote a political settlement which addresses the causes of the crisis, and to restore peace and security. UK support includes up to #2 million to assist the deployment of the Ghanaian contingent of the ECOWAS peace-monitoring force. We are working closely with France, and other partners, to ensure effective international support for these regional efforts. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development has also agreed to provide up to #1 million in humanitarian assistance for Cote d'Ivoire.
	We remain gravely concerned at reports of mass killings and serious violations of human rights in Cote d'Ivoire. We welcome the UN Secretary-General's decision to request the High Commissioner for Human Rights to seek further information about these violations.
	We have also been concerned at all breaches of the 17 October 2002 ceasefire agreement. We are pleased that President Gbagbo has agreed to submit a crisis resolution plan to all Ivorian players and to ECOWAS leaders, and to consult them on it. We also welcome the fresh commitments made by him and by the leaders of the MPCI rebel group, during the 3–4 January visit of the French Foreign Minister, to respect the ceasefire. France has now offered to host a conference from 15 January involving all Ivorian political forces. We urge all parties to engage seriously in the search for an inclusive political solution to the crisis.

Douglas Grindlay

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance Her Majesty's Ambassador to Berlin is giving to Mr.Douglas Grindlay.

Mike O'Brien: On 21 November 2002, a member of staff from our consulate in Hamburg accompanied Mr. Grindlay and his German lawyer to a hearing at the court in Pinnerberg. Consular staff in London and Hamburg are in regular contact with Mr. Grindlay and we will do all that we properly can to assist him.

Flanders

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made by the Government to the Belgian authorities concerning the potential impact on Pilckem Ridge of the projected route of the A19 motorway in Flanders.

Denis MacShane: The Government have made no representations to the Belgian authorities regarding the proposal to extend the A19 motorway in the area around Pilckem Ridge. However, the Flemish authorities have reassured the Commonwealth War Graves Commission that while the proposed route has not been finalised, it will not encroach on any Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries. The MOD and the FCO, with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, continue to monitor developments.

Ian Hook

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice he has given to Mr. Ian Hook's relatives about seeking redress for his killing.

Mike O'Brien: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him today (UIN 88952). When we have received the results of the IDF and UN inquiries, we will discuss follow-up action with Mr. Hook's family.

Ian Hook

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 17 December 2002, Official Report, column 765W and 87111, when he expects to receive the results of the investigations into the killing of Mr. Ian Hook from (a) the IDF and (b) the UN.

Mike O'Brien: We understand that both the Israeli and the UN reports are almost complete.

Indonesia

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many internal armed conflicts there are in Indonesia; what the origins were of each conflict and how long each has involved the use of armed force; and what steps he has taken to press the Indonesian Government to provide for civilian oversight and accountability of the security forces.

Mike O'Brien: There are a number of areas in Indonesia where the levels of violence give us cause for concern. These include Maluku, Sulawesi, West Papua and notably Aceh, where we welcome the recent agreement between GAM and the Government of Indonesia to end 26 years of conflict in that Province.
	The origins of such conflicts vary and are complex: some are inter-ethnic or inter-religious while others may have economic causes. Our message to the Indonesian Government is clear and consistent: long-term stability can be achieved only through political negotiation and consultation with the people. Together with our European partners we are in regular, top-level dialogue with the Indonesian Government, and urge them to maintain law and order and promote reconciliation in order to ensure the territorial integrity of Indonesia.
	We are implementing a strategy to tackle the causes of conflict; supporting reconstruction and reconciliation in troubled provinces such as Maluku, Aceh and Papua; and working with EU and other partners to help Indonesia build capacity to analyse and respond effectively to outbreaks of violence.

Sri Lanka

Andy Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what representations he has made to the Sri Lankan Government concerning (a) the publication in July 2001 of the Sinhala Commission Report and (b) the publication of similar anti-Christian material over the last 18 months;
	(2)  what recent representations he has made to the Sri Lankan Government concerning the increase in violent attacks perpetrated upon Christians by Buddhist extremists;
	(3)  what representations he has made to the Sri Lankan Government concerning the activities of the Bauddha Sanrakshana Sabhava, the Society for the Preservation of Buddhism;
	(4)  what representations he has made to the Sri Lankan Government concerning the difficulties faced by Christians in obtaining planning permission to build new churches.

Mike O'Brien: We are aware of allegations of attacks on members of the Christian community in Sri Lanka. It appears that such attacks are not on the increase or part of a generalised problem or coherent strategy. There are some safeguards in place to protect people from all religious backgrounds, and there are dedicated ministries for Christian as well as Hindu, Muslim and Buddhist affairs. However, our High Commission continues to monitor the situation and raises the rights of religious minorities, and other human rights issues, with the Sri Lankan authorities. We regularly urge the authorities to ensure the rights of all minorities are upheld.

Sri Lanka

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress in the Sri Lankan peace talks.

Mike O'Brien: The Foreign Secretary and I were pleased to meet Professor Peiris, the Minister leading the Sri Lankan Government delegation, in December. This is an historic time for Sri Lanka. It is encouraging that the two sides have agreed to explore a solution founded on the principle of internal self-determination for the Tamil people, based on a federal structure within a united Sri Lanka. I am pleased that human rights are being addressed. I look forward to further progress at the next round of talks in January. The international community has an important role to play in offering both political and practical support to Sri Lanka. The UK has committed over #15 million in developmental assistance for 2003–04.

Sudan

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on recent fighting in Darfur, Sudan.

Bill Rammell: There are 13 tribes living in the border area between Chad and Darfur, Sudan. The Embassy in Khartoum raised reports of clashes between camel herders from the north and the Fur in Jebel Marra with the Government of Sudan on 19 December. Tribal reconciliation conferences took place for the Fur in Jebel Marra on 16–22 August and for the Arabs in Kas on 1–13 September.

Sudan

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has made concerning recent reports of arrests and torture of student activists in Khartoum by the Government of Sudan.

Bill Rammell: Torture and arbitrary arrest were raised as part of the EU/Sudan dialogue discussions on 9–10 December 2002. We regularly urge the Government of Sudan to ratify the Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment and make representations to the Government of Sudan about individual cases.

Sudan

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the timetable for the resumption of EU development aid to Sudan and the pre-conditions for resumption.

Bill Rammell: When a peace agreement is reached between the Government of Sudan (GoS) and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army, the EU will respond quickly to underpin it through the initiation of a normalisation process and the release of development funds. The EU is also engaged in a political dialogue with the GoS involving benchmarks on democracy, the rule of law, human rights and the peace process. This dialogue is reviewed on an annual basis, most recently by an EU Troika mission to Khartoum on 9–10 December 2002.

Timber

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures the Government intends to take (a) unilaterally and (b) internationally to stop the import of Liberian conflict timber where it cannot be demonstrated that it is not being used for legitimate social, humanitarian and development purposes; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: We have played a leading role in trying to restrict the Government of Liberia's sanction busting activities. We share the concern of the UN Panel of Experts Reports that the revenues from timber sales are being used to fund arms purchases in breach of UN sanctions. UN Security Council resolution 1408 calls on the Government of Liberia to undertake the audit of shipping and timber revenues and to use the revenues from the timber trade for social, development and humanitarian purposes.
	We supports the Africa Forest Law Enforcement and Governance (AFLEG) process, calling on all African governments and trading partners to take actions to control illegal activities in the logging sector and associated trade. There will be a Ministerial Conference in April 2003, organised by the World Bank, to push this process forward.

Weapons of Mass Destruction

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the United States' recently announced national strategy to combat weapons of mass destruction in respect of the policy to discourage the worldwide accumulation of separated plutonium.

Mike O'Brien: This strategy is further evidence of the seriousness with which the United States is approaching the issue of the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. We welcome the renewed commitment to discourage the worldwide accumulation of plutonium and the use of highly-enriched uranium, in addition to the US programmes in Russia and other former Soviet states. The UK Government believe that proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the materials needed to make them, represents a serious threat. We support all efforts to counter that threat. On plutonium, we have committed #70 million over ten years to help Russia dispose of thirty-four tonnes of plutonium, as part of the 2000 US-Russian agreement. UK officials met with G8 partners in Moscow in December 2002 to progress this important programme. This UK-supported plutonium disposition programme forms just one part of the G8 'Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction', to which the UK has committed up to $750 million over ten years.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Devolution

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions he has had on devolved power being reinstated in Northern Ireland.

Tom Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions he has held with Northern Ireland party leaders about the future of the devolved institutions.

Paul Murphy: I refer my hon. Friends to the answer I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Hillsborough (Helen Jackson), Official Report, Column 154.

Punishment Beatings

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent representations he has received about punishment beatings in Northern Ireland.

Jane Kennedy: Both the Secretary of State and I hold regular meetings with our senior security advisers, elected representatives and members of political parties to discuss a wide range of security issues including attacks on communities by both Loyalist and Republican paramilitary groups.

Small Businesses

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what research his Department has carried out into the impact of regulations on small businesses in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: When drawing up the Better Regulation Strategy, which currently operates in Northern Ireland, and which seeks to reduce the regulatory burden on business, my Department consulted the various Northern Ireland business representative organisations including the Northern Ireland Federation of Small Business, about the impact of regulations on business.

Castlereagh RUC Station

David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has received the final report from Sir John Chilcott on the break-in at Castlereagh RUC station on 17 March 2002; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Murphy: The Government take the break-in at Castlereagh extremely seriously, which is why my predecessor as Secretary of State immediately announced an independent review to examine the implications to national security, how it happened, whether the measures taken following the incident have been adequate and whether there are wider lessons.
	This review, conducted by Sir John Chilcot, is running in parallel to the ongoing police investigation.
	I have not received Sir John's final report, but look forward to doing so in due course.

Good Friday Agreement

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what further progress has been made towards the implementation of outstanding elements of the Good Friday Agreement.

Paul Murphy: Substantial progress has been made in implementing the Agreement, but the restoration of the devolved institutions depends on the restoration of public trust in the commitment of participants to exclusively peaceful means and to stable inclusive institutions. If that can be achieved then, as my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has explained, we can implement the rest of the Agreement in its entirety together.

Security

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the current security situation in Northern Ireland.

Jane Kennedy: Dissident Republicans remain a threat to the peace process but for the most part their activities have been thwarted, intercepted or nullified by good policing operations. Sectarian violence and the Loyalist feud continue to affect communities in Northern Ireland. Interface areas remain tense but quiet.
	It is now time for republican and loyalist paramilitary groups to make a commitment to end all forms of violence.

PRIME MINISTER

Cabinet Papers

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of the Cabinet Office guidance issued to Cabinet committees requiring all Cabinet papers and letters to explain how proposals meet the economic, social and environmental objectives of sustainable development.

Tony Blair: XCabinet Committee Business: A Guide for Departments (February 2002)" is already available on the internet at http://www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/cabsec/2002/guide/index.htm. I am also placing copies in the Libraries of the House.

Environmental Policy

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the delivery of environmental policy, with particular reference to the allocation of departmental responsibilities and the separation between policy making in DEFRA and policy delivery in other Departments.

Tony Blair: The Government have made significant improvements across a range of environmental policy areas. The UK now has the cleanest rivers, beaches, air and drinking water since the industrial revolution. Greenhouse gas emissions were 13 per cent. below 1990 levels in 2000, with policies to improve energy efficiency taking 350,000 households out of fuel poverty since 1997, with a further 200,000 expected by 2004.
	In addition we have delivered improvements to sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs), increases in the green belt, and increased the proportion of new housing built on brownfield land. The Government's Strategy for Sustainable Food and Farming, published in December 2002, set out further proposals for redirecting agricultural support to environmental goals.
	Full assessment of the effectiveness of the delivery of environmental policy can be found in Defra's first annual report, at http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/deprep/2002/index.htm. This report provides an overview of the Department's objectives, and assesses progress against key targets. Responsibility for two of Defra's Public Service Agreement targets (PSAs) is shared with other Government Departments: with DTI for the target relating to greenhouse gases; and with DfT for the target relating to local air quality, reflecting the need for joint efforts to achieve the desired outcomes.
	The independent Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) assessed the UK's environmental policy and delivery in November. This report highlights areas in which progress has been made since the previous review in 1994, as well as identifying areas where more remains to be done. A copy is in the Library of the House and is available at http://www.oecd.org/E/home/0,, EN-home-478-nodirectorate-no-no-no-21,00.html

World Peace

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Prime Minister what recent discussions he has had with President Bush concerning world peace.

Tony Blair: I am in regular telephone contact with President Bush about threats to world peace, and had three meetings with him last year, most recently at the NATO summit in Prague in November. At a joint press conference there, we said that we shared the strong conviction that we must work together to make the world a more peaceful place.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Bedroom Standard

Oona King: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 16 December 2002, Official Report, column 612W, if he will publish a table showing households in England below the bedroom standard broken down by (a) region and (b) tenure for the year 2001–02.

Tony McNulty: The answer given on 16 December 2002, Official Report, column 612W, to my hon. Friend, gave information on households in England below the bedroom standard by region and tenure averaged over the years 1999–2000, 2000–01 and 2001–02 in order to provide a sufficiently large sample. Information at regional level for single years is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Councillors (Liabilities)

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the legal and financial liabilities of individual councillors appointed by their local authorities to serve on outside bodies by reason of their membership of that outside body.

Christopher Leslie: The potential liabilities of councillors as members of other bodies will depend on a number of issues, notably the terms on which they were appointed and the nature of the body concerned. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister intends shortly to consult on a draft of an Order to be made under section 101 of the Local Government Act 2000 to give authorities powers to provide indemnities to their members and officers. This will include provision in respect of functions performed by such individuals in their capacity as members or officers, including on outside bodies.

Housing (Stock Transfer)

David Drew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list housing allocations created as a result of stock transfer from a local authority which have since been transferred to another housing association.

Tony McNulty: None of the housing associations created to receive stock transferred from a local authority have since transferred the stock onto another housing association. Some of these associations have undergone a name change or have become a subsidiary of a group structure, but they have remained separate legal entities with individual boards.

Housing (Stock Transfer)

David Drew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what (a) the level of homelessness and (b) housing list numbers for those requiring housing were in each authority which has undergone stock transfer (i) at the time of transfer and (ii) at each year-end subsequent to unit transfers.

Barbara Roche: A comprehensive table presenting available information since 1988/99 in respect of homelessness household accepted annually, those accommodated at 31 March, and total households on the housing register at 1 April deemed to be Xin need" has been placed in the Library of the House.

Housing (Stock Transfer)

David Drew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he has taken to ensure that there is no conflict of interest in the position of senior local authority officers promoting stock transfer.

Tony McNulty: The current Housing Transfer Guidance includes detailed advice on how to deal with potential conflicts of interest when senior local authority officers are involved in a proposed housing transfer. Specific advice is addressed to those officers proposing to move to the prospective new landlord. This advice also covers consultants advising the authority and the prospective new landlord over various aspects of the transfer.

Listed Buildings (Solar Panels)

Norman Baker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what advice he provides to planning authorities on applications to install solar panels on listed buildings.

Tony McNulty: General advice to local authorities about listed building controls is contained in PPG15, Planning and the Historic Environment. Specific advice about solar panels on listed buildings is provided in the new Annex to PPG22 Renewable Energy—Annex on Photovoltaics.

New Mortgage Lending

Steve Webb: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his Answer of 12th December, Official Report, column 470W, on new mortgage lending, if he will provide corresponding estimates for new mortgage lending that was not for house purchase; and if he will estimate the total amount of new mortgage lending in the last 12 months that was (a) for house purchase and (b) not for house purchase.

Tony McNulty: Variable/Fixed rate lending. The estimated percentages of remortgages or further loans taken out in each of the past 12 months with an initial interest rate that was (a) variable and (b) fixed are shown in the table below. Also included, for comparison purposes, are the equivalent figures for new mortgages.
	
		
			   New mortgages for house purchase Remortgages or further loans 
			 Month Variable Fixed Variable Fixed 
		
		
			 2001 Dec 83.6 16.4 91.6 8.4 
			 2002 Jan 67.4 32.6 86.1 13.9 
			  Feb 70.2 29.8 88.8 11.2 
			  Mar 71.5 28.5 90.8 9.2 
			  April 73.9 26.1 91.9 8.1 
			  May 76.9 23.1 93.8 6.2 
			  June 79.1 20.9 94.4 5.6 
			  July 81.8 18.2 94.9 5.1 
			  Aug 82.6 17.4 94.5 5.5 
			  Sep 80.7 19.3 94.5 5.5 
			  Oct 77.3 22.7 92.5 7.5 
			  Nov 71.0 29.0 89.8 10.2 
		
	
	Source:
	ODPM, Survey of Mortgage Lenders
	It should be noted that loans taken out at an initial fixed rate of interest are likely to revert to a variable rate of interest after a fixed period of time, unless of course the borrower then chooses to remortgage (again) at another fixed rate of interest.
	New mortgage lending, December 2001—November 2002
	Gross mortgage lending in each of the last 12 months is shown in the table, together with the total for the 12 month period December 2001 to November 2002.
	
		
			 Month Mortgage lending for house purchase #million Other new mortgage lending #million 
		
		
			 2001 Dec 5,964 5,970 
			 2002 Jan 6,449 6,814 
			  Feb 8,908 6,940 
			  March 11,131 7,429 
			  April 12,162 8,200 
			  May 13,686 9,678 
			  June 11,185 8,006 
			  July 12,368 9,818 
			  Aug 9,685 8,914 
			  Sept 9,805 9,342 
			  Oct 11,089 11,333 
			  Nov 10,186 11,155 
			 Total  111,618 103,599 
		
	
	Source:
	Bank of England

HEALTH

Acute Hospital Services

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress he has made in developing indicators to reflect patient views on food and other issues in acute hospitals.

David Lammy: National health service performance ratings published in July 2002 included a number of performance indicators relating to acute inpatient survey data. In addition to this, the Commission for Health Improvement (CHI) and the Department have recently announced a number of additional patient survey performance indicators for the next publication in 2003.
	The CHI has now assumed responsibility for future publications of the performance ratings as well as the patient survey programme.

Acute Hospital Services

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many acute hospitals have (a) closed and (b) opened since 1997.

John Hutton: Information on hospital closures ceased to be collected in 1991 following the introduction of the national health service internal market and trusts.
	What is usually referred to as a hospital closure often follows reprovision with the intention of providing higher quality care, in a more suitable setting for the benefit of patients.
	Since May 1997, a total of 64 such major reprovision developments under the private finance initiative have been prioritised, of which 14 involving acute settings have now opened and a further nine are under construction. In addition, four major publicly funded schemes involving acute settings have also been given the go ahead of which three are now open. These, along with a number of medium size projects, comprise the NHS plan commitment to deliver over 100 new hospital schemes between 2000 and 2010.

Acute Hospital Services

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the recommendation by the medical Royal Colleges that an acute hospital should serve a population of 500,000 people.

John Hutton: XProvision of Acute General Hospital Services" was published in July 1998 by a joint working party of the British Medical Association, the Royal College of Physicians of London and the Royal College of Surgeons of England. It suggested that the ideal unit for a fully comprehensive medicine and surgery is a hospital or integrated group of hospitals serving a population of 450,000 to 500,000. The effective size to provide most of the acute services for medicine and surgery was recommended to be one serving a population of 250,000 to 300,000. These recommendations were made some time ago now and thinking about how to organise services safely and effectively has moved on.
	In particular, the NHS Plan, published in July 2000, set the direction for the future development of hospital services, and Shifting the Balance of Power sited responsibility for local health service with primary care trusts.
	The Department of Health's configuring hospitals project has been examining the complex issues around configuration of acute hospitals over the past few months, and will publish a consultation document shortly. Ultimately, it is for local health services to decide, with their local populations, and in the light of relevant guidance and standards, how acute hospital services should be organised.

Acute Hospital Services

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the implications of the whole system redesign approach for the introduction of the European Working Time Directive to acute hospitals;
	(2)  what changes to working practices in acute hospitals will take place to accommodate the European working time directive.

John Hutton: The Department is currently running 19 pilots exploring solutions to enable National Health Service trusts to implement the European working time directive (EWD) for doctors in training while protecting service delivery.
	Details of the necessary changes in working practices are also set out in the HSC 2003/001 'Protecting Staff, Delivering Services—Implementing the European Working Time Directive for Doctors in Training'.

Ambulances

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of ambulance trusts are failing to meet the eight-minute response target.

David Lammy: The latest information available about the proportion of emergency calls resulting in an ambulance arriving at the scene of the reported incident within the eight-minute response time for all ambulance trusts, is contained in the Department of Health Statistical Bulletin, XAmbulance Services, England 2001–02". A copy of the bulletin is available in the Library and also at www.doh.gov.uk/public/sb0213.htm.

Ambulances

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes there have been to average turnaround times by ambulances at accident and emergency units since 1997, broken down by acute trust area.

David Lammy: Validated information providing complete coverage is not available centrally.

Ambulances

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many ambulances are operating in England; and how many operated in each of the past six years.

David Lammy: The number of accident and emergency ambulances owned or leased by ambulance trusts in England is 2,970. This information was collected in October 2000. No other information is available.

Bed Occupancy

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the optimal level of bed occupancy to reduce trolley waits for emergency admissions and cancelled operations.

David Lammy: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell (Chris Grayling) on 19 December 2002, Official Report, column 1039W.

Bed Occupancy

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the Government's target is for occupancy levels in (a) general and (b) acute NHS beds; and what the levels were in 1997.

John Hutton: The Department has not issued any specific guidance on bed occupancy. As part of routine capacity planning each national health service trust needs to establish the levels of occupancy required for different specialties and types of care depending on their own particular circumstances. Appropriate levels of occupancy will depend on a number of factors including specialty, the balance between emergency and planned admissions and the size of the hospital.
	In 1996–97 the bed occupancy level for general and acute NHS beds was 80.7 per cent. Over the last two years, the number of beds have increased, reversing a 40 year decline.

Cancelled Operations

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have had operations cancelled on more than two occasions in each of the past three years.

John Hutton: Figures are collected on a quarterly basis on the number of patients whose operations are cancelled by the hospital for non-clinical reasons on the day of surgery and at the last minute, that is on the day patients are due to arrive or after arrival in hospital or on the day of their operation. This information is available in the Library and on the Department of Health website at: www.doh.gov.uk/hospitalactivity/data requests/cancelled operations.htm
	These figures are not broken down to show whether a patient has been cancelled by the hospital more than once.

Children's Vision

Andy Burnham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps he is taking to (a) implement a programme of vision screening among children with hearing impairments; and (b) ensure consistent access in different areas to specialist eye examinations for children with hearing impairments;
	(2)  how much public funding was allocated to raising awareness among parents, children and teachers of (a) the importance and purpose of vision screening in children, (b) the importance of children having regular eye tests and (c) children's entitlement to free NHS eye tests in each year since 1997;
	(3)  what steps he is taking to improve the (a) consistency and (b) quality of children's vision screening programmes in England.

David Lammy: holding answer 7 January 2003
	The provision of vision screening programmes is a matter for local primary care trusts to consider in accordance with professional advice. This includes vision screening for children with hearing impairments and ensuring access to specialist eye examinations. The national screening committee recommends that all infants and children with a hearing loss should have an expert eye examination as a matter of routine. A national service framework for children, which will set standards aimed at raising the quality of the health and social care services that children receive, is currently under development. Information is not collected centrally on the amount of public funding allocated to raising awareness of vision screening and eligibility for free sight tests—which includes all children under the age of 16 and those aged under 19 in fulltime education.

Correspondence

Greg Pope: To ask the Secretary of State for Health during the last year for which figures are available, how many letters from hon. Members were replied to (a) within six months, (b) within six to nine months, (c) within nine to 12 months and (d) in over 12 months; and what was the average time taken by ministers in the Department to reply to hon. Members' correspondence in that period.

David Lammy: The information is shown in the table.
	
		
			 Period Number of letters 
		
		
			 (a) Within six months 15,080 
			 (b) Within 6–9 months 489 
			 (c) Between 9–12 months 205 
			 (d) Over 12 months 74 
			 Average time to reply for the 12 month period: 44.8 days 
		
	
	A Customer Service Project has been set up under the Department's change programme. The aim of this project is to significantly improve the Department's performance in handling telephone, written and e-mail inquiries from members of the public and their representatives and to maximise the potential of the Department's website and other forms of communication media.

Dental Surgeons

Mr. Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of vacancies for dental surgeons.

John Hutton: The data requested is shown in the table.
	
		Department of health vacancies survey, March 2002. Vacancies in NHS trusts, consultant dental group of specialties 3 month vacancy rates, number and staff in post—England (excluding HA staff)
		
			  3 month vacancy  
			  Rate (percentage) Number Staff in post(6) Staff in post(7) 
		
		
			 Total consultants dental group 4.5 22 473 582 
			 Of which: 
			 Oral and maxillo-facial surgery 2.2 5 222 255 
			 Orthodontics 6.8 10 140 158 
			 Restorative dentistry 0.0 0 57 86 
			 Paediatric dentistry 6.3 1 15 24 
			 Additional dental specialties 15.8 6 32 47 
			 Oral surgery (8)— (8)— (8)— (8)— 
			 Periodontics (8)— (8)— (8)— (8)— 
			 Prosthodontics (8)— (8)— (8)— (8)— 
		
	
	(6) Whole-time equivalent
	(7) Headcount
	(8) Figures where sum of staff in post and vacancies is less than 10.
	Notes:
	1. Three month vacancy information is as at 31 March 2002.
	2. Three month vacancies are vacancies which trusts are actively trying to fill, which had lasted for three months or more (whole time equivalents).
	3. Three month vacancy rates are three month vacancies expressed as a percentage of three month vacancies plus staff in post.
	4. Three month vacancy rates are calculated using staff in post from the Vacancy Survey and the Consultant Census, March 2002.
	5. Staff in post data is from the Mini Consultant Census, March 2002.
	6. Staff in post data excludes staff employed by health authorities, as vacancy information was only collected from trusts, PCTs and special health authorities.
	7. Medical and dental figures exclude staff in training.
	8. Vacancy and staff in post numbers are rounded to the whole number.
	9. Percentages are rounded to one decimal place.
	10. —= figures where sum of staff in post and vacancies is zero
	11. Calculating the vacancy rates using the above data may not equal the actual vacancy rates.
	12. HA figures are based on trusts, and do not necessarily reflect the geographical provision of healthcare.
	13. Figures may not match previously published data due to a different method of rounding used on the staff in post data.
	Sources:
	Vacancy numbers and rates: Department of Health Vacancies Survey March 2002 and Consultant census March 2002.
	Medical and dental staff in post: Department of Health Consultant census March 2002

Junior Doctors

Archie Norman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health under what circumstances after August 2004 junior doctors will be subject to the limit on night workers of eight hours of work in any 24 hour period under the Working Time Directive.

John Hutton: In order to implement the Working Time Directive (93/104EC) the Government propose to introduce legislation to extend the Working Time Regulations, including the provisions that apply to Xnight workers", to the activities of doctors in training from 1 August 2004, with the exception of the average weekly working time limit which will be introduced over a transitional period.
	A worker covered by the Regulations will be subject to the controls on night working if they satisfy the meaning of Xnight worker" in the Regulations.
	Under the Government's proposals, which are currently the subject of public consultation by the Department of Trade and Industry, the night work limits are excluded where there is a need for continuity of service as may be the case in hospitals, including the activities of doctors in training, but this is subject to the compensatory rest provisions.

Junior Doctors

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many junior doctors are in training; and how this compares with the number in 1997.

John Hutton: The data requested is shown in the table.
	The figures show an increase in the number of doctors in training between 1997 and 2001 of 9 per cent.
	
		NHS Doctors in training, England (Headcount)
		
			  1997 2001 
		
		
			 Doctors in training of which 32,800 35,790 
			 HCHS(9) 31,460 33,910 
			 GP Registrars 1,340 1,880 
		
	
	(9) Hospital, Public Health medicine and Community Health Services medical and dental staff
	Note:
	Figures are for 30 September in the year stated except for GP registrars in 1997, which is for 1 October.
	Source:
	Department of Health medical and dental workforce census
	Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics

Drugs Budget

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has assessed on spending levels on drugs in acute hospitals in (a) the last year for which figures are available and (b) each of the past three years.

John Hutton: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Total expenditure on drugs for NHS trusts in England
		
			  # 
		
		
			 1998–99 1,208,098,376 
			 1999–2000 1,360,825,466 
			 2000–01 1,515,722,071 
			 2001–02 1,683,684,266 
		
	
	Source:
	NHS Trust Financial Returns 1998–99 to 2001–02.
	The data include total expenditure on drugs, gases and blood products (but not fresh blood from blood centres) for national health service trusts in England. Drugs expenditure alone cannot be identified.

E Coli

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce free prescriptions for those people who have suffered from the bacterium E coli-0157 when they reach adulthood and display illnesses associated with this bacterium.

David Lammy: Our policy is to give priority to helping people who may have difficulty in paying charges, rather than extending the exemption arrangements to people suffering from other conditions, for example, those who display illnesses associated with the bacterium E coli-157.

Emergency Admissions

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to address the decline in the number of patients being admitted within two hours in accident and emergency units.

David Lammy: Improving access to emergency care is one of the Department's top priorities. Three quarters of those who go to an accident and emergency (A&E) department, who need to be admitted to hospital, get a bed within four hours. By December 2004, all patients will be in and out of A&E within four hours.
	To help support A&E departments across the country, a new national clinical director for emergency care was appointed in autumn 2002. Additional investment of #30 million was made to enable the launch of the Modernisation Agency programme to help reduce waiting times in every A&E.

General Practitioners

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many whole time equivalent general practitioners there were in (a) each region and (b) England in each of the last five years.

John Hutton: The number of whole time equivalent general practitioners in each strategic health authority and in England in each of the last six years is shown in the table.
	
		General Medical Practitioners (excluding GP Retainers)(10) in England; 1997–2002 (by April 2002 boundaries) -- Estimated whole time equivalent
		
			 DHSC/Strategic Health Authority 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 
		
		
			 North   
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear 782 802 807 812 836 852 
			 Country Durham and Tees Valley 620 617 619 622 652 642 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire 1,079 1,083 1,090 1,079 1,093 1,107 
			 Greater Manchester 1,409 1,404 1,420 1,424 1,422 1,422 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside 1,346 1,335 1,370 1,371 1,388 1,395 
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire 944 934 951 959 968 985 
			 West Yorkshire 1,188 1,198 1,221 1,227 1,248 1,266 
			 South Yorkshire 716 711 720 725 734 728 
			
			 Midlands and Eastern   
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire 757 776 787 792 779 781 
			 Birmingham and the Black Country 1,260 1,272 1,279 1,299 1,305 1,317 
			 Coventry, Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire 859 853 853 869 878 903 
			 Trent 1,363 1,382 1,386 1,408 1,434 1,405 
			 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland 857 851 841 817 827 831 
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire 1,228 1,243 1,250 1,268 1,276 1,276 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire 869 892 894 897 906 906 
			 Essex 805 819 819 814 805 814 
			
			 London   
			 North West London 1,107 1,097 1,055 1,044 1,064 1,043 
			 North Central London 739 741 727 748 746 755 
			 North East London 835 845 844 866 841 859 
			 South East London 814 810 840 825 833 820 
			 South West London 731 720 732 735 727 752 
			 South   
			 Thames Valley 1,145 1,186 1,198 1,202 1,218 1,236 
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight 996 999 1,014 1,017 1,037 1,041 
			 Kent and Medway 860 867 868 853 860 855 
			 Surrey and Sussex 1,410 1,430 1,432 1,435 1,464 1,469 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire 1,225 1,257 1,281 1,289 1,301 1,300 
			 South West Peninsula 990 981 972 1,000 1,025 1,012 
			 Dorset and Somerset 727 744 761 759 771 768 
			
			 England total 27,660 27,848 28,033 28,154 28,439 28,540 
		
	
	(10) All Practitioners (excluding GP Retainers) include GMS Unrestricted Principals, PMS Contracted GPs, PMS Salaried GPs, Restricted Principals, Assistants, GP Registrars, Salaried Doctors (Para 52 SFA) and PMS Other.
	Notes:
	1. GP Retainers were first collected in the 1999 census and have been omitted for comparability purposes.
	2. WTE data has been estimated using the results from the 1992–93 GMP Workload Survey; Full-time = 1.00 wte; three quarter time = 0.69 wte; job share = 0.65; half-time = 0.60 wte.
	3. Data as at 1 October 1997–99, 30 September 2000–01 and 31 March 2002.
	Source:
	Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics

Homeless People

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has recently met with Ministers from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister concerning homeless people's access and use of GP services; and what plans there are to do so in the near future.

John Hutton: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not recently met with Ministers from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to discuss homeless people's access and use of general practitioner services and currently has no plans to do so in the near future.
	However the Cross-Cutting Spending Review on health inequalities, published on 20 November, identified vulnerable groups, including homeless people, as a priority. The Domestic Affairs Cabinet Subcommittee on Social Exclusion and Regeneration will drive forward the implementation of the review.

Medical Devices

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has taken to publicise new regulations requiring CE marking on packaging for self-testing diagnostic medical devices.

David Lammy: The Medical Devices Agency (MDA), which is the United Kingdom's competent authority for the medical devices regulations, has published the In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices Directive, which came into force on 7 June 2000, on its web site together with guidance documents on its implementation. In addition members of the MDA have given several presentations on the Directive's provisions to both manufacturers and users.

Medical Qualifications

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the proposals from the European Commission on medical qualifications will require Britain to recognize levels of training below those required in the UK.

John Hutton: Under legislation introduced in 1994 the United Kingdom automatically recognises training completed by nationals of European Economic Area (EEA) countries in other countries in the EEA which meets or exceeds the minimum standards specified in the relevant European Directive. Similarly, other EEA countries automatically recognise UK training. Most UK postgraduate medical training exceeds Directive minimum standards. The proposals from the Commission do not affect this position.

Mortuary Provision

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of mortuary facilities are contained in temporary buildings.

John Hutton: This information is not collected centrally.

NHS Foreign Health Care Workers

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many foreign health care workers were recruited by the NHS, broken down by profession in each year since 1990.

John Hutton: . The Department does not collect data on the country of qualification for nurses, midwives and other health professionals.
	The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) publishes an annual statistical report which includes information about the number of foreign nurses and midwives on the register. This data can be found on the NMC website at: www.nmc-uk.org.uk.

NHS Funding

Dave Watts: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the proposed new funding system for the NHS will take into account the number of people who have private health insurance in a particular area.

John Hutton: The new formula used to allocate revenue resources to primary care trusts for 2003–04 to 2005–06 is concerned with health care need and not availability of private care. The research on which it is based excluded all private episodes of care on the grounds that the need for national health service resources was being modelled. The research also takes account of supply factors such as private hospitals.

NHS Funding

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what work is underway to review NHS funding formulae.

John Hutton: The formula used to allocate National Health Service revenue resources has been reviewed by the Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation.
	Following the review the allocations to primary care trusts for 2003–04 to 2005–06 were based on a new formula.

NHS Funding

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the new formula for allocation of health spending to health authorities and trusts.

John Hutton: The 2003/2004 to 2005/2006 Primary Care Trust Revenue Resource Limites Exposition Book has been published. This shows how each Primary Care Trust's allocation has been calculated using the new formula. It can be found at .
	Later this year we will publish a revised version of Resource Allocation: Weighted Capitation Formulas which will describe the new formula.
	The team who carried out the research into the new formula have published Allocation of Resources to English Areas, a full report of their findings. It can be found at http://www.nhsis.co.uk/isd/_services/info_ consult_AREAReport.htm

NHS Recruitment

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) administrators, (b) doctors and (c) nurses have been recruited by the NHS in the past 12 months.

John Hutton: Information on the number of staff recruited to the national health service in the last 12 months is not separately available.

NHS Spending

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average amount of NHS spending was per head in (a) England, (b) the South-East, (c) East Sussex and (d) Eastbourne, in each of the last five years.

John Hutton: Information on the average amount of national health service spending per weighted head of population in the East Sussex, Brighton and Hove Health Authority area, the South Eastern Region and in England is shown in the table. Information is not held centrally for East Sussex or Eastbourne.
	
		# per head 
		
			 Year 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 
		
		
			 East Sussex, Brighton and Hove Health Authority 584.27 641.16 813.92 827.74 869.19 
			 South Eastern Region 599.07 656.57 759.83 810.94 890.46 
			 England 607.85 659.76 763.79 825.38 885.83 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. In many health authorities there are factors which distort the expenditure per head. These include:
	the health authority acting in a lead capacity to commission healthcare or fund training on behalf of other health bodies; and
	asset revaluations in NHS Trusts being funded through health authorities.
	For these reasons expenditure per head cannot be compared reliably between health authorities.
	2. Allocations per weighted head of population provide a much more reliable measure to identify differences between funding of health authorities.
	3. Expenditure is taken from audited health authority and primary care trust summarisation forms which are prepared on a resource basis and therefore differ from cash allocations in the year. The expenditure is the total expenditure by the health authority and by the primary care trusts within the health authority and region area. The majority of General Dental Services expenditure is not included in the health authority or primary care trust summarisation forms and is separately accounted for by the Dental Practice Board. An element of pharmaceutical services expenditure is accounted for by the Prescription Pricing Authority and not by health authorities.
	4. Health authorities and primary care trusts should account for their expenditure on a gross basis. This results in an element of double counting in 2000–01 and 2001–02 where one body acts as the main commissioner and is then reimbursed by other bodies. This element cannot be identified in 2000–01 but has been removed in 2001–02 following the submission of the relevant information.
	Sources:
	Health authority annual accounts 1997–98 to 1999–2000
	Health authority summarisation forms 2000–01 to 2001–02
	Primary care trust summarisation schedules 2000–01 to 2001–02
	Weighted population figures for 1997–98 to 2001–02

Nursing Staff

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nursing students were studying at (a) diploma level and (b) degree level in the most recent year for which figures are available.

John Hutton: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		2002–03 forecast nursing student population
		
			  Whole-time equivalent 
		
		
			 Total 53,868 
			 Diploma 47,449 
			 Degree 6,419 
		
	
	Figures are forecast and are subject to change. They are based on the planned number of places by workforce development confederations.

Pathology Services

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) mortuary technicians and (b) clinical pathologists were employed in each trust in each of the last five years.

John Hutton: The information available has been placed in the Library. Separate information is not collected on mortuary technicians; they are included with pathology technicians.

Pathology Services

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many new pathology departments have been opened in the past year.

John Hutton: This information is not collected centrally.

Pathology Services

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS hospital trusts with pathology services have not been accredited by Clinical Pathology Accreditation (UK) Ltd.

John Hutton: We do not collect this information centrally. According to the latest information available from Clinical Pathology Accreditation (UK) Ltd, over 90 per cent, of National Health Service pathology laboratories are registered for accreditation. Full details are available on their website at www.cpa-uk.co.uk.

PCT Allocations

Dave Watts: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list of primary care trust allocations for 2003–04, including (a) allocations per head and (b) a statement of the deprivation levels in each PCT area.

John Hutton: Primary care trusts revenue allocations for 2003–04, 2004–05 and 2005–06 were announced on 11 December 2002.
	Information by primary care trust on allocations, 2003–04 allocations per weighted head and unweighted head and need index in the funding formula which provides an indicator of deprivation have been placed in the Library.

Post Mortems (MRI Scans)

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce compulsory MRI scans during post mortems.

David Lammy: We have no plans to introduce compulsory magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans during post mortems. The Department has commissioned a scoping study to look at the current level of research knowledge about minimally invasive post-mortem techniques, including MRI scanning. From this it is clear that at present there is limited research evidence as to the effectiveness of these minimally invasive techniques.

Practice Nurses

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many practice nurses there were in each of the last five years.

John Hutton: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Practice nurses employed by Unrestricted Principals and Equivalents (UPEs)(11) in England; 1997–2001 -- Numbers (headcount) and whole time equivalent
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Whole-time equivalent 10,082 10,358 10,689 10,711 11,163 
			 Headcount 18,389 (12)18,894 (12)19,495 19,200 19,846 
		
	
	(11) UPEs includes GMS Unrestricted Principals, PMS Contracted GPs and PMS Salaried GPs.
	(12) Headcount Practice Nurse figures are estimated for these years.
	Note:
	Data as at 1 October 1997–99 and 30 September 2000–01.
	Source:
	Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics.

Primary Care Services

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on the expansion of the range of services provided by the primary care sector.

John Hutton: XDelivering the NHS Plan" confirmed our commitment to substantial increases in health service capacity. Our aim is, however, not simply to rely on expanding hospital capacity but to use the extra investment provided by the April 2002 budget to modernise the way services are provided to bring services closer to patients, expand the choices available to patients and make better use of the skills and capacity of the primary care work force.
	The Department is therefore taking forward a programme to deliver a wider range of services in primary and community settings, using general practitioners and nurses with specialist skills, working from improved and modernised premises. This is expected to deliver for example, millions more out-patient appointments taking place in the community rather than in hospital.

Primary Care Services

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the lines of accountability for primary care trust boards are.

John Hutton: Primary care trusts are national health service bodies established by the Secretary of State. They are performance managed by strategic health authorities and through them are accountable to the Secretary of State.

Private Medical Insurance

Dave Watts: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment his Department has made of the effect that the provision of private medical insurance has had on the standard of health in each primary care trust.

John Hutton: The Department has made no such assessment.

Smallpox

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements exist to vaccinate people in remote areas in the event of a smallpox threat.

John Hutton: Responsibility for putting in place appropriate local arrangements for vaccinations against smallpox will rest with the regional directors of public health (RDsPH). The Department of Health has recently published its draft guidance for dealing with smallpox and invited comment and discussion on the plans for dealing with any smallpox outbreak. RDsPH were involved in the drafting of the guidance. In this guidance, it is intended to establish 12 regional smallpox response groups across the United Kingdom, consisting of infectious disease physicians, paediatricians, public health physicians, microbiologists/virologists, acute care and communicable disease control nurses and occupational health staff who will be able to set up specialist care and vaccination centres for the regions in the event of a smallpox emergency.

Smallpox

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements have been made to distribute smallpox vaccine.

John Hutton: The strategic stock of smallpox vaccine is held centrally and arrangements have been put in place whereby the vaccine can be delivered to anywhere in the mainland United Kingdom within 24 hours of a request for vaccine, 365 days of the year. As smallpox has been eradicated, this is only likely to be in response to a bioterrorist incident, whereupon the Chief Medical Officer or nominated Deputy would authorise the release of vaccine.
	As part of plans for dealing with any smallpox incident, it is intended to establish 12 regional smallpox response groups across the UK. The staff in these groups, consisting of infectious disease physicians, paediatricians, public health physicians, microbiologists/virologists, acute care and communicable disease control nurses and occupational health staff will be able to set up vaccination centres for the regions in the event of a smallpox emergency.

Smallpox

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to vaccinate the whole UK population against smallpox.

John Hutton: There are no plans to vaccinate the whole population as a contingency measure against the threat of a bioterrorist incident involving smallpox. Mass vaccination of the population could be justifiable if there was a smallpox attack or outbreak but it would not be acceptable to expose people to the risk of vaccination in the absence of any possible exposure to the smallpox virus.
	Smallpox vaccine has a much higher rate of serious complications than vaccines that are in regular use today. Certain groups are at even higher risk, such as those with weak immune systems or with severe eczema.
	We have already announced that a small number of key frontline national health service staff and a small number of military personnel who would provide the first response in the event of a confirmed, suspected or threatened release of smallpox will be vaccinated shortly. We are discussing with other Government Departments how to identify key workers in the emergency services and agreeing circumstances and timing under which they might be vaccinated.
	Our contingency plans for dealing with smallpox are detailed in the draft guidelines on smallpox available on http://www.doh.gov.uk/epcu/cbr/biol/smallpoxplan.htm

Terrorism

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent precautions have been taken by the NHS for dealing with a mass casualty terrorist incident.

John Hutton: The planning for the response to a mass casualty incident involves the scaling up of the normal response to a major incident. Following the September 11 2001 terrorist attack on the United States, specific guidance was issued to the national health service on the public health response to the deliberate release of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents, mass decontamination and mass casualties.
	The Department has made available, through the emergency planning section of its website, www.doh.gov.uk/epcu a comprehensive package of guidance for clinicians on dealing with the consequences of deliberate release. The information is regularly updated. The website contains a link to the Public Health Laboratory Service website, which provides additional clinical and other information.
	Additional arrangements have been put in place for the provision of decontamination units and protective equipment for NHS staff and strategic stockpiles of medical supplies and other equipment.